A YORK burglar thanked a judge from the dock for giving him the chance not to return to jail.

Darren John Archer, 29, was on licence and had several previous convictions for housebreaking when he raided a home in Bewlay Street, York, the city's Crown Court heard.

But instead of sending him back to jail, Judge Gavin Barr Young gave him 18 months probation and a 100 hours community service.

As he left the dock Archer told him: "I'd just like to thank you for giving me a chance."

The judge replied: "You can thank me by observing the order and not coming back before the court again."

Earlier Archer had told the judge: "I don't mind being on probation. It is all right to go to speak to Michael (a probation officer) when you have a problem."

He also promised he would do the 100 hours community service.

Archer, of Mansfield House, York, pleaded guilty to burglary.

Simon Kealey, prosecuting, said that when Archer broke into the house in Bewlay Street on May 18, he cut himself and left bloodstains in different places inside.

Police identified him through DNA tests.

For Archer, Felicity Davies said that since the house raid, he had reformed himself, and was planning to stay out of trouble.

She handed in a letter from a drug dependency clinic on his behalf.

His most recent previous conviction for burglary was four years ago although he has committed other offences including a cannabis offence in March this year.