A FIRE rescuer was today starting 18 months in jail for supplying a friend with heroin, despite the courts giving him two chances to keep his freedom.

Scott Kevin Rocks, 26, handed over £40 worth of the drug on a non-profit basis, Robin Denny for the probation service told York Crown Court, and was given 200 hours' community service in February 2001.

Defence barrister Simon Jack said his heroism in saving a woman in a fire persuaded Recorder Duncan Smith not to jail him.

But, said Mr Denny, Rocks only completed 41 hours and failed to turn up for appointments in the summer of 2001.

In October, York magistrates gave him a second chance to do the order, but warned him that enough was enough.

Mr Jack said: "It was in effect one strike and you're out."

After hearing that Rocks missed a further appointment in November, Recorder J T Milford QC jailed him for 18 months.

"I am satisfied you are unable or unwilling to carry out the provisions of the order," he told Rocks.

Rocks, of Arran Place, Heworth, admitted breaching the community service order for the second time. In 2000 he admitted supplying heroin and possessing heroin and cannabis.

Mr Jack said he had kept off heroin and out of trouble since 1999. He had missed the November appointment because of a family bereavement and had asked his mother to contact the probation service.

But she had not done so.

Updated: 11:52 Thursday, February 21, 2002