GAZETTE & HERALD: NEW dad Michael Hayward has been given a last chance by magistrates so he can concentrate on getting his life back on track with his partner and baby daughter.

Hayward, 34, of Bancroft Gardens, Calne, pleaded guilty on Thusday to burglary, failing to surrender twice and two separate charges of possessing drugs.

Michelle Hewitt, prosecuting, told the court in Chippenham that on August 8 last year Hayward and a friend broke into Kwik Fit Tyre Services on Burlands Road and stole tools worth £567 that they later hoped to sell.

Police chased the pair along the side of the River Avon, where Hayward threw the bag of tools, but they were later recovered.

The court also heard that Hayward was found in possession of cannabis on the night, for his own use. On March 14 this year he was found with class B amphetamines then on March 21 and March 31 he failed to surrender to Chippenham court.

Tim Hammick, defending, said of Hayward: "He's had a drug problem for a long, long time and he has not worked for a long, long time.

"The major change in this man's life is he's now got a child and he wants to be able to be there to support that child."

Hayward, who had been drug free while on remand in custody for three weeks, told the court he wanted to get his life back on track, .

Magistrates put Hayward on a community rehab order for 12 months, and a 12-month drug treatment and testing programme.