A PINEHURST man who burgled his aunt and sister in raids nine days apart has escaped a jail term.

Instead Matthew Dunn, who stole to feed his heroin habit, has been put on a drug treatment and testing order by a judge at the crown court.

The 27-year-old first broke into a shed at the rear of his aunt's house in Downs View, Lydiard Millicent, on April 23 last year.

He then used a claw hammer taken from the shed to try to break into the house through a window at the rear of the building.

But he was seen by neighbours as he tried to get into the property on the Friday lunchtime and fled the scene.

He told the police that he had been at the house to collect some items of his that are stored in the shed and did not try to break in.

Just over a week later on Saturday, May 1, he burgled the home of his sister who lives with her boyfriend at Beatrice Street, Gorse Hill.

During that raid he took a PlayStation, cash, DVDs and games worth a total of £690 and was tracked down after his blood was found at the scene.

But he told police that he had been to the house that day and his fingers had been bleeding because he bites his nails.

Dunn, of Laburnam Close, Pinehurst, had a lengthy previous record with at least 48 convictions including a two-year jail term in 1999 for burglary of houses.

He has also been on drug treatment and testing orders in the past, which have not succeeded.

However after reading a report from the Swindon and Wiltshire Alcohol and Drugs Service, a judge decided to give him another chance.

Recorder John Tackaberry QC said "It seems you really are serious in attempting to break loose from the shackles of drug addiction.

"Given your age it is a chance that is not likely to loom again should you fail."

As well as a six-month drug treatment and testing order he was also put on an 18-month probation order.

Catherine Turnbull