A CAREER criminal who was given the chance to turn his life around was locked up for two years yesterday after the court finally ran out of patience.

Drug addict Michael Emmens, 29, was sentenced to a two-year community order after he was convicted in 2006 of four burglaries, stealing a car, and driving while disqualified and without insurance.

The court treated Emmens with leniancy again in June last year, when he was sentenced to 12-months in prison, suspended for 18-months, for attempted theft and theft.

However, Emmens, of Brennan Road, Tilbury, ran out of luck when he was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court yesterday.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of being in a stolen car.

The latest offences, which happened in September, also meant he was in breach of his earlier sentences. Judge Philip Clegg jailed Emmens and told him: "You have a formidable record for dishonesty.

"The main spring has been your addiction to crack cocaine and heroin, and these offences were committed to finance that habit.

"The court took pity on you and gave you a chance by giving you a community order.

"Later, the court took pity on you again and gave you a suspended sentence order.

"Obviously, you have come to the end of the road."