A CAREER criminal who burgled three homes to feed his drug habit has been given a final chance to cure his addiction...for a second time.

John Debono targeted three homes by smashing his way in and carrying out untidy searches looking for valuable items he could sell to fund his addiction to drugs.

In two of the homes, the first in Elderton Road, Westcliff and the second in Audley Way, Basildon, which were burgled on February 13 and March 21, he stole valuables ranging from iPads, jewellery, computers and even a hair dryer totalling more than £10,000.

At the third home, also on March 21, in Honeypot Lane, Basildon, belonging to an elderly woman, he left empty handed.

Debono, now of Chalk End, Basildon but who has lived on Canvey, was arrested and found in possession of items from the Audley Way home.

He was abusive to officers and refused to be interviewed.

The 33-year-old admitted two counts of burglary and one count of burglary with intent to steal in June this year and appeared before Judge Ian Graham for sentencing on Friday at Basildon Crown Court.

The court heard Debono, also known as John Munday, had 28 previous convictions for 76 offences.

His criminal record which spanned 19 years and was previously given an order for drug rehabilitation in 2015.

He lasted 18 days before he reoffended and went back to prison.

In a victim impact statement, the elderly woman, of Honeypot Lane, said she felt “vulnerable” since the break-in.

Reading it aloud, prosecutor Allan Compton said: “She is concerned there will be a repeat and her family have since spent £700 on security measures.

“She says she has been left in a permanent state of despair that someone could do this to her property.”

Mitigating barrister Matthew Bagnall handed Judge Graham a letter written by Debono.

Judge Graham asked: “Is this the same letter he wrote in 2015 promising never to burgle anyone ever again?” before the court clerk produced the letter for Mr Bagnall to read.

It was said to be similar.

Judge Graham, sentencing, said: “You have spent most of your life going in and out of prison. You come out and burgle and then go back in repeatedly.

“The choice before me is a stark one - whether I pass another custodial sentence or try something different today.

“I do accept the cause of your offending is a longstanding drug problem. I’m going to take that on a lot of faith.”

Debono was sentenced to a two-year community order which requires him to complete a drug rehabilitation programme for 12 months as well as 200 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Graham added: “If you go back to burgling, I hope it comes before me and I will send you to prison for as long as I can.

“The maximum sentence is 14 years so have that figure in mind.”