A BURGLAR who was convicted with the aid of DNA evidence has been told a prison sentence will be inevitable if he commits other crimes.

Craig James Speck, 35, pleaded guilty to the burglary of a guest house in Scott Street, York, in October last year.

Speaking at York Crown Court, prosecution barrister Stephanie Hancock said Speck’s DNA had been found in blood in the kitchen of the guesthouse, after the defendant had gained entry to the kitchen by removing a pane of glass, then stole £110 in cash.

Ms Hancock also told the court how Speck, of Burdyke Avenue, Clifton, had 22 convictions for more than a dozen different offences, dating back to the early 1990s.

Defence barrister Glenn Parsons admitted his client had a troubling record, but highlighted a substantial break in offences between 2004 and Speck’s arrest in October, during which time Speck had settled down with a partner, and was working for his brother as a painter and decorator.

Mr Parsons told the court domestic problems between Speck and his partner meant he turned to drink, which in turn led to him using heroin, and being involved in drunken brawls as a cry for help.

Mr Parsons said: “He did something that night to draw attention to himself. This is not a sign that my client is going back to his old ways.”

Mr Parsons told the court Speck was now on methadone and attempting to tackle his heroin problem, and that his client would benefit from any assistance the court could provide.

Recorder Colin Burn ordered Speck be assessed by a probation officer to determine whether he would benefit from a drug rehabilitation programme rather than imprisonment.

Probation officer Leo Smith recommended to the court that the defendant should attend a 12-month, medium-intensity drug rehabilitation programme, to help Speck combat his heroin problem.

As well as the drug rehabilitation programme, Speck was issued with a two-year suspended sentence, and regular progress updates to the court.

The Recorder also told Speck that if he was caught committing another offence, imprisonment would be inevitable.