A CARLISLE man who put himself in breach of a court’s suspended jail sentence was put back before a judge after he pleaded guilty to stealing a pair of Nike trainers.

A judge told 51-year-old David McMillan that the offence which put him back before the city’s crown court was 'pathetic'.

The defendant, of Newlaithes Avenue, Morton, had earlier admitted stealing the £80 Nike Air Max trainers from Sports Direct in the city centre on February 22.

At the time, he was halfway through a suspended sentence order.

That suspended eight-month term was imposed for earlier burglary offences, involving 'small amounts of cash' taken from two properties.

Defence lawyer Mark Shepherd said McMillan, who recently became a grandfather, had engaged well with the Probation Service and was reaping the rewards of this.

McMillan admitted being in breach of that earlier court order.

Judge Nicholas Dean QC gave the defendant a 12-month conditional discharge for the shoplifting offence and for breaching his suspended sentence the defendant must complete 15 rehabilitation days with the Probation Service.

“You will not get another chance,” warned the judge.