A SERIAL burglar who was once spared prison because it would have been "too easy" for him was back behind bars last night - for yet another break-in.

James Wanley was let free by a controversial judge who told him that Probation Service supervision and unpaid work would be harder than a jail sentence.

Judge Gillian Matthews, QC, sparked controversy three years ago when she told Wanley he could serve a custodial sentence "standing on your head".

A different judge took a different view when the jobless heroin addict was convicted of his tenth burglary after a trial at Teesside Crown Court.

Recorder Mark McKone ruled the so-called tougher option had not worked for Wanley either - and gave him a sentence of five years and eight months.

The career criminal - who has spent more than half of his life behind bars - has a record containing 62 offences, which goes back to when he was aged 13.

He denied the latest break-in, at the home of an 83-year-old as she slept at her bungalow in Hartlepool in February, when £50 and stamps were stolen.

The court heard that Wanley was injecting heroin upstairs when police traced him to a friend's home within hours of the burglary being reported.

He had a booklet of stamps - identical to that taken in the raid, including a commemorative Olympic design - in his back pocket, but no money.

Wanley, 42, claimed he had been at home with his girlfriend. He blamed a pal for the break-in and accused of him trying to fit him up with the police.

The lying crook said he had returned home late, his partner was annoyed and they went to bed without speaking. When she gave evidence, she said they had made love that night.

A jury took just over two hours to return a unanimous guilty verdict, while Mr Recorder McKone accused Wanley of "running a scandalous defence".

The judge described the offence as "mean" and imposed a five-year prison sentence. Eight months was added for the breach of a suspended jail term.

Last year, Wanley, of Stockton Road, Hartlepool, was spared custody again after he admitted charges of handling stolen goods and possessing heroin.