A "prolific burglar" from Bolton ignored a chance given to him by a judge by breaking into a property days after being released on bail.

Matthew Openshaw was placed on a community order for controlling and coercive behaviour towards a woman and attacks on her.

He was also previously given conditional discharges for two incidents of shoplifting and an assault.

But he failed to comply the order and appeared at Bolton Crown Court last month.

Recorder Paul Hodgkinson placed him on bail and gave him a chance to show he could comply.

But just two days later, on November 5, he broke into the premises of the Arms Group at Farah House in the centre of Bolton.

The group is aimed at helping those who are homeless and vulnerable.

Daniel Lister, prosecuting, said: "It was the next morning staff identified there had been a break in.

"An officer recognised the defendant.

"Pictures had been taken off the wall.

"CCTV shows that happening.

"The estimated value is £750."

Openshaw, 48, of Westland Avenue, Farnworth, appeared at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court to be sentenced after admitting burglary, breach of a community order and reoffending during the time conditional discharges were in place.

Julian Goode, defending, said: "He has a huge desire to turn his life around.

"He has spend in and around 20 years of his life in custody, on remand or serving prison sentences."

Recorder Hodgkinson described him as a "prolific burglar".

But he noted the change in his appearances since he had been arrested following the burglary and abstained from drugs.

He said: "I did not recognise the defendant when he came on the link.

"When he appeared in November he looked 10 to 15 years older."

He added: "The prison sentence I am about to give you gives me no joy.

"Unfortunately you are at the stage when you are running out of chances."

He jailed him for eight months.