One of Hertfordshire’s most prolific burglars has been jailed for three and a half years after failing to take the chance to turn his life around, under the Choices and Consequences (C2) programme.

John MacDonald, 25, of no fixed abode, was jailed at St Albans Crown Court on Monday, November 17, after admitting to numerous burglary offences prior to being admitted on to the C2 programme.   

MacDonald had a long history of offending and admitted to 164 offences as part of the conditions of being accepted onto the C2 programme.

The programme gives persistent offenders the opportunity to break the cycle of offending, by supporting them in making changes in their lives which are contributing towards their offending.

In many cases their offending is related to drug, drink or gambling addictions and the programme offers support to deal with these issues, helping offenders to seek employment and break the cycle of crime and prison. 

Detective Sergeant Joady Ealham, who runs the C2 programme, said: "In order to be admitted onto the programme and offender must first admit to all the crimes they have committed and agree to fully embrace the opportunity for rehabilitation that it provides

"The C2 project is not a soft option and can be very tough on offenders, who often are troubled by addiction or mental health problems. 

"However, if a candidate fails to take advantage of the opportunity they have been given, they face punishment for all the offences they have admitted to and often find themselves in prison. MacDonald could not cope with the strict requirements of the programme, which led to him being returned to custody and sentenced."

His Honour Judge Andrew Bright, QC said when pronouncing the sentence: "You are a 25-year-old man with a dreadful criminal record. When I first saw you, you showed signs of wanting to change and you persuaded C2 that you deserved an opportunity. 

"The tragedy is you started doing well and impressed at times, but you cut yourself off and disappeared. It is a great shame. I hope you apply yourself to turn your life around, if you go back to offending your sentences will only get longer."