A house burglar who was previously given “a remarkable chance” of a suspended sentence has been jailed.

Judge Niclas Parry told defendant Ian Nash that he had thrown the chance back into the face of the court.

Nash was jailed for 22 months when he appeared at Mold Crown Court.

Judge Parry told him that he would appreciated that back in March a very experienced judge had taken an exceptional course and imposed a suspended prison sentence for a pre-planned house burglary in which valuable property was taken.

“Having been given that chance, despite an appalling criminal record, that includes seven previous house burglaries, you have thrown that chance back in the court’s face.”

Judge Parry said that it was a long time since he had seen such poor compliance with a court order.

Nash, he said, had simply failed to take the opportunity given to him and it would not be unjust to now activate the suspended sentence in full, he explained.

Prosecuting barrister Karl Scholz said that in March at Caernarfon Crown Court Judge David Hale had agreed to suspend the 22 month prison sentence for two years and sent the defendant on a thinking skills course.

Nash, 49, of Glandwr Crescent in Kinmel Bay, had attended 24 of the 35 appointments which had been offered to him.

A warrant had been issued for his arrest because of his non compliance.

The original house burglary occurred in Prestatyn when a couple were visiting their daughter in Manchester.

They returned following an overnight stay and found that their property had been ransacked.

An untidy search had taken place with drawers left open and items left on the floor.

Over £1,000 worth of property including sentimental jewellery had been stolen.

The defendant was arrested after blood was found which was found to contain his DNA/

He had clearly gone equipped to steal and tool marks had been found around the patio door.

Nash, he said, had previous convictions for 69 offences including eight burglaries - seven of them at dwelling houses.

Defending barrister Sarah Yates said that suspended sentence had been imposed because the defendant’s wife was extremely unwell.

The defendant had health problems and he was her carer.

The couple also had other family issues to cope with, she explained.

She suggested that the suspended sentence be extended and said he would know he was in “the last chance saloon.”

But Judge Parry said that it was so serious that the 22 month prison sentence would now be activated.

(*) At the earlier hearing a “moving” letter from his wife was said to have saved him from jail.

The court heard how he had been beset by health and money problems.

Judge David Hale told Nash: “If it weren’t for the letter from your wife you would be going to prison.”

He admitted breaking into a house in Clwyd Avenue, Prestatyn on December 1 last year when the occupants, Jean and Nigel Jones, were in Manchester.

Judge Hale told the court: “I will suspend the sentence and I do it only because of the letter from his wife because of the health difficulties she referred to, and the children. That’s the only reason - not for him. It’s his last chance.”