A serial burglar who sneaked into a pensioner's home within weeks of coming off a police "tag" has been jailed again for 32 months.

Gambling addict Leon Henry, 38, volunteered to be monitored by officers using the tracking device following his release on licence from a previous prison sentence, but his lawyer told a judge today that his client made the mistake of asking for the tag to be taken off earlier this year.

Rachim Singh said Henry, of Grattan Road, Bradford, thought his life was getting back on track, but last month he resorted to crime after his benefits were stopped.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Henry had found himself in difficulties after moving out of a hostel and ended up having to go to food banks in the city.

But three weeks ago Henry sneaked into the home of a 73-year-old man in Beechwood Drive, Wibsey, while he was watching tea-time TV and stole a wallet containing about £80 or £90 as well as a bank card and bus pass.

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Prosecutor Carmel Pearson said a neighbour in the cul-de-sac had become suspicious about Henry and when he found him at the rear of the victim's home the defendant immediately pulled his hood up and ran off.

Henry, who was also jailed for 32 months back in July 2013 for a similar offence in Morley, was identified from CCTV footage and today he admitted the burglary offence at a preliminary hearing.

The court heard that Henry had committed more than 20 burglary offences and had previously served a five-year jail term for breaking into homes.

Mr Singh said his client had received prison sentences every time since the late 1990s, but he had been doing his best this time to stay out of trouble.

"He seems to have got himself into a cycle," said Mr Singh.

"It is not drugs or alcohol. It's a gambling addiction he has..

"He does try to do his level best when he is released."

Judge Mark Savill sentenced Henry over a video link to the prison where he has been on remand and told him that at 38 his life was at a tipping point.

"I understand that you have difficulties relating to a gambling addiction, but at 38 it seems to me you've got a decision to make," the judge told Henry.

"You've not been able to make it so far, but you cannot go on stealing from people's houses and coming back before the courts can you."

The judge said he had a duty to protect the public who would be "sick and tired" of Henry burgling houses.

Judge Savill said Henry would have been jailed for four years after a trial, but his guilty plea meant he could receive a reduction to 32 months.