A FELIXSTOWE care assistant who threw a garden gnome through a window, has been given a last chance to avoid jail.Convicted burglar Scott Loveday failed to carry out 180 hours unpaid work because his father was dying in another county.

A FELIXSTOWE care assistant who threw a garden gnome through a window, has been given a last chance to avoid jail.

Convicted burglar Scott Loveday failed to carry out 180 hours unpaid work because his father was dying in another county.

Ipswich Crown Court heard that Loveday and two others drove to a house in Bluehouse Lane, Mendlesham, and burgled it in a revenge attack.

Jude Durr, prosecuting said Loveday, 23, kicked in the front door and smashed a tropical fish tank killing all 40 fish.

He then damaged a computer, a television, ornaments and lamps.

On his way out he picked up a garden gnome and threw it through a front window.

Loveday, of Tunstal Green, Tunstal, Woodbridge pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to do damage. He told police the owner of the house was responsible for a friend's suicide and he had wanted to get revenge.

Loveday, who has a record for burglary and criminal damage was ordered to do 180 hours community punishment. However after completing 98 hours he failed to turn up for work on two occasions last November and December.

The court heard Loveday's father had suffered a stroke and Loveday had gone to Wiltshire to be by his side.

Judge John Holt heard that Loveday had also failed to attend court on February 14 this year but Loveday's father had died that day.

He also heard that Loveday had worked well when he turned up and that the probation service wished for the order to continue.

Judge Holt told the court Loveday was a care assistant at Highfield House, he was married and lived with his wife's two children.

"I will order you to pay costs of £60 but there will be no other order.

"You are to complete the community punishment order and if there is any other breach at all then it will be prison," said Judge Holt.