A PROLIFIC burglar recently released from prison has narrowly escaped jail after burgling Darlington's Poundstretcher store.

Michael Jacques, of Beaconsfield Street, Darlington, wandered into the Bondgate shop on Sunday, November 18 after losing £9 on a casino machine in a nearby bookmakers and taking anti-anxiety medication – which made him 'off his head', a court heard.

The 35-year-old pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to steal when he appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court yesterday.

He walked through the ground floor and up some stairs to the staff-only area, where he used a hammer and wedge set from the store to try to force open the door to the cashier's office.

Emma Barker, prosecuting, said: "The witness closed up the store and locked the front door and then she heard noises coming from upstairs. She followed them to the staff area and saw the defendant. He has then run from the building.

"The defendant was interviewed and said he had taken three Xanax which made him 'off his head'.

"He said he walked into Poundstretcher and found himself in the store room. He said he didn't see the sign. He said he tried to open some filing cabinet drawers but he couldn't remember anything else."

The court heard that the defendant was on a community order and was still on licence until October this year after serving a prison sentence imposed in June last year for dwelling burglary.

Graham Hunsley, mitigating, said: "He has a long history of substance abuse and amphetamine. He has got a long record and knows he could go to custody today based on his record.

"I would suggest that he hasn't tipped the balance this time but he is on a fine line as far as his licence is concerned. On the basis of his plea I| would invite you to saw it is not a case where he should be sent to custody today."

Jacques had a history of being out at night, taking drugs and being involved in offences such as shed burglaries, he said.

Judge Helen Cousins said: "I do take the view that this passes the custody threshold. This must have been really frightening for the woman who found you in the staff area after-hours. I would have sent you to prison immediately for this offence today given the seriousness of you and your record."

But she said the fact the defendant had taken part in a restorative justice programme, had gone to his credit. She imposed a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for nine months, and an eight-week curfew order.