A MAN who admitted killing a psychiatric patient three years ago has been given community punishment for drink-driving on a stolen moped in York.

Jamie Richardson, from York, who was 21 on Wednesday, was sentenced to four years' custody in a young offenders' institution after admitting the manslaughter of Retreat hospital patient Marcus Pullan in 1999.

Since then he has been released on licence and appeared before York magistrates following an incident on January 13 this year.

Richardson, of Helmsdale, Acomb Park, admitted charges of drink-driving, driving a vehicle he knew was stolen and driving without a licence and insurance.

Magistrates ordered him to do 240 hours of unpaid work within 12 months. He was also disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to pay £55 in costs and £25 in compensation.

Steven Ovenden, prosecuting, said police officers had seen Richardson riding a moped without wearing protective head gear from Lawrence Street into James Street at about 12.15am.

He was taken to the police station after officers smelt alcohol on his breath and a test showed he had just over twice the legal alcohol limit in his breath. Officers also found that the moped was stolen.

Mr Ovenden said the majority of Richardson's previous convictions had taken place while he was a juvenile and the only similar conviction had been in September 1998 for "taking a conveyance without authority".

His most recent conviction had been at Leeds Crown Court on January 13, 2000, when he was sentenced to four years for manslaughter.

For Richardson, Craig Robertson said he had come out of custody with a number of certificates after completing several courses, including anger management.

He said he was about to sign up for professional rugby and was playing regularly, which was keeping him out of trouble.

Updated: 12:56 Saturday, February 23, 2002