A PROLIFIC thief who was given a last chance to stop his offending after stealing chocolate and dog treats has been jailed after failing to comply with a community order.

Dean Andrew Cooper, 30, was sentenced for the thefts in October, when he was given a community order with unpaid work, supervision and a drug rehabilitation requirement.

The case was sent to Salisbury Crown Court as magistrates, who would normally sentence the low-level crime, felt his offending was so serious he should be sentenced by a crown court judge.

He had 59 previous offences involving dishonesty and had repeatedly breached suspended sentences and community orders. Judge John Dixon handed Cooper the community order as a “last chance” to stop his offending.

But Cooper, most recently of Rollestone Street, returned to the crown court on Wednesday after breaching the terms of the order, having failed to turn up for unpaid work and a supervision appointment.

A probation officer told the court there was no option but to resentence Cooper for the offences as he is unwilling to comply with probation or the police, and that he often becomes abusive.

Judge Nicholas Haggan said: “It’s quite plain to me from the evidence that has been presented that you did not comply in any way with the terms of that order and showed no willingness to comply.” Cooper was sentenced to 30 days in prison.