AN habitual criminal who has been in and out of prison for years was today (Friday) offered a lifeline.

Stephen Whiteley, of the House of St Martin, Norton Fitzwarren, has been told that if he stays off drugs and changes his ways, he will avoid going to jail again.

Whiteley received a 24-month supervision order and a 22-month drug rehabilitation order after pleading guilty at Taunton Crown Court to two counts of handling stolen goods.

The court was told how bicycle parts and an angle grinder were found in his room following a theft at a home in Bishops Lydeard on March 31.

Whiteley denied burglary and the Crown Prosecution Service accepted his pleas of guilty to two counts of handling stolen goods.

Judge Stephen O'Malley said Whiteley has served "numerous lengthy custodial sentences".

Sentencing him, the judge added: "You're looking at a return to prison if this drug intervention doesn't work.

"You're reaching your middle years and you have a terrible criminal record, with very many sentences of imprisonment imposed in the past.

"If you succeed in addressing your drug problem, then hopefully you'll put this criminal lifestyle behind you."

He turned down a CPS application for £1,785 compensation and £200 costs due to Whiteley's lack of means.