A THIEF with a record of 46 previous convictions was given a chance to put his life in order by a court yesterday.

When Robert Metcalfe pleaded guilty to trying to steal a £106.98 video recorder from a supermarket, Nick Ralph, prosecuting, told Harrogate magistrates he had tried to leave it behind.

Mr Ralph said Metcalfe, 32, had put the video in a trolley in Harrogate's Asda store and walked through the checkouts, but stopped to go into the toilets on the way to the exit.

When he came out, he had changed his top but was challenged by staff who had been watching his movements.

Metcalfe of Westmoreland Street, Harrogate, told police he had changed his mind and decided not to take the video.

Mr Ralph said Metcalfe had 46 previous convictions including 12 for theft and others for burglary, taking vehicles, violence and public order matters.

In mitigation, Geoffrey Boothby said Metcalfe was due to go on a residential rehabilitation course on Thursday, which had been arranged through Harrogate's East Parade Project which helped people with drink and drugs problems.

He will spend three months in Keighley and, if he is successful, he will go to Wales for ten months, where he will get help to cure his addictions.

Presiding magistrate Cecily Horton, giving Metcalfe a conditionally discharge, with £120 costs, told him: "I hope your course goes well and you get the full benefit out of it."