A JUDGE said he was reluctant to jail a chronic alcoholic who had frequently breached Durham's first anti-social behaviour order.

John Newman, 32, formerly of New Brancepeth, has breached the four-year order five times since it was imposed in June 2000.

The order bans Newman from visiting Durham city centre when he is drunk, from drinking in public or visiting pubs and off-licences, and making false 999 calls.

He has already been jailed for breaking the rule and his latest sentence was 19 months. Each time he was released he broke it again, sometimes within hours.

In the latest incident, in June, he was arrested after he was caught on closed circuit television, drinking lager on a bench in the bus station.

Judge Anthony Briggs told Durham Crown Court the maximum sentence was five years.

But he added: "I'm somewhat reluctant to keep locking him up because it doesn't look as if anything is being achieved.

"All one can look forward to is him getting set free, having a drink, and being locked up again. It is not very satisfactory.''

The judge said that the resources to help Newman were not available in prison.

Newman's barrister, Sarah Holmes, said: "His offending is due solely to his chronic alcohol problem.

"He will co-operate with any help but he hasn't been offered any one-to-one direct treatment in prison.

"It's a vicious circle of breaching an order that an alcoholic is bound to breach.''

Newman, of no fixed address, is on remand after admitting breaching the order. North Durham magistrates had committed the case to the Crown Court for sentence.

Judge Briggs adjourned sentence until next week to see if the probation service could arrange accommodation and treatment.

The court had previously ordered preparation of a psychiatric report to assess his suitability for a hospital order.

David Wilkinson, prosecuting, said when officers went to the bus station, Newman, who had been recorded hiding a can in his jacket, tried to conceal his drink under the bench.

He initially denied breaching the order but changed his plea to guilty.