Three-strike burglar Lee Kennelly could have been starting a minimum three-year stretch behind bars this week.

But instead the 22-year-old has headed off to a five-star drink and drugs rehab centre near Oxford for the next year.

Kennelly, of London Road, Dover had been nabbed burgling a house in Great Stour Place in Canterbury in January.

He was caught red-handed with a stolen mobile phone and camera battery.

Under sentencing guidelines for judges, offenders convicted on three separate occasions of break-ins at people’s homes face a minimum prison sentence – unless it is unjust.

But after hearing of problems, the Ley Community - set in a five-acre site at Yarnton - has offered him a residential place to tackle his addiction to Class A drugs.

Bosses at the centre say the regime “is tougher than prison” and they boast “great success” helping people overcome addictions.

Sentence on Kennelly had been adjourned at Canterbury Crown Court pending a response from the community.

Judge Adele Williams said: “I understand that the Ley Community will have him, which is good news and he has to go straight there... and nowhere in between! I will be informed if he doesn’t arrive.

“This is an extremely rigorous and tough regime and is no easy option. It is much more difficult than serving a sentence of imprisonment. He has to comply with all its requirements.”

Kennelly was given a two-year community order, which includes the year-long stay in Oxford.

The judge told him that if there were any breaches of the order she had retained “my full sentencing powers”, which could include sending him to prison “for a lengthy period”.

“This is a very considerable opportunity for you – and if you mess it up then you know that a lengthy period of imprisonment is waiting for you.”

She also ordered regular reports on Kennelly’s progress during the first six months.

Kennelly, who was given a travel warrant to travel to Oxford, told the judge: “Thank you, your honour. Thank you!”

He arrived later the same day to begin a course in tackling his addiction to heroin.