AN Ipswich burglar has avoided jail despite repeat offending which usually results in a three year term.Karl Osbourne was given “a big chance” by Mr Recorder Andrew Marsden because he had appeared to turn his life around since the latest offence.

AN Ipswich burglar has avoided jail despite repeat offending which usually results in a three year term.

Karl Osbourne was given “a big chance” by Mr Recorder Andrew Marsden because he had appeared to turn his life around since the latest offence.

Ipswich Crown Court heard that the 19-year-old was released from a Young Offenders Institute in March 2005 after serving two years for burglary and two years for robbery.

Peter Gair, prosecuting, said that at about 4am on February 16 this year Osbourne climbed through the window of a Cedarcroft Road house and stole a jacket and £25 while the family slept upstairs. Police discovered Osbourne's fingerprints on the window sill and he was arrested.

Osbourne, of Goldsmith Road, pleaded guilty to burglary.

Simon Spence, mitigating, said the detention and training order Osbourne was subject to in custody had been effective and he had only committed this latest burglary because he was drunk.

He said: “Since his arrest he has stopped drinking. He has a job and he has been able to work sensibly and live a more law abiding life.”

Mr Recorder Andrew Marsden said: “It was an intrusion into their home and it will affect their ability to sleep. For you it was just an opportunistic drunken moment a week after your 18th birthday.”

However he added: “A number of people speak of you very highly and there is a chance you can stop offending entirely. If you are in front of the court again after being given a really big chance by me you will be severely punished next time.”

He said that usually after committing three domestic burglaries the courts are obliged to impose a three year prison term.

Osbourne was sentenced to 12 months in a Young Offenders Institute but the term was suspended for 18 months. He was placed on probation supervision for 12 months and curfewed to stay at his home between 10pm and 6am for six months.

Osbourne was told to do 200 hours unpaid work, pay prosecution costs of £420 and £95 compensation for the jacket and cash.