A man - caught with laptops and cameras stolen from two Canterbury schools - has more than 500 previous convictions for dishonesty.

The courts were so concerned with John Beebe’s activities - he was given an anti-social behaviour order to keep him away from schools.

But that didn’t stop the 29 year old, together with pal Lee Kelly, 25, from walking into Barton Court and Simon Langton grammar schools in September.

Canterbury Crown Court heard how the two were caught by police walking away with bags containing stolen laptops, projectors and digital cameras.

Beebe, from Northolt, Middlesex, had been jailed in 2004 for three years for burglaries and asked for a whopping 522 extra offences to be considered.

He was also given a five year anti-social order banning him from entering schools- which he then breached twice.

But within two years he was jailed again for burglaries and theft, Denzil Pugh, prosecuting told the court.

Beebe and Kelly, of Wembley, Middlesex, both admitted two burglaries and were given 12 month community orders with a condition they receive treatment for their drug problem.

The judge, Recorder St John Stevens told them: “My first instinct was to jail you but the public might best be served if you can tackle your addiction problem.

"You might be pulling the wool of this court’s eyes but don’t throw this chance back in my face.”