Prolific burglar Louis Sheehan made 20 consecutive appearances before judges and magistrates... and received a custodial sentence each time.

Now the 31-year-old Margate man has become a dad - and pleaded with a judge not to make it 21 jail terms.

Sheehan, of William Street, had admitted two break-ins at the Boots store in Mortimer Street, Herne Bay, and possessing illegal drugs.

It was his 32nd court appearance for more than 90 offences – and has received sentences including three and four years.

But Judge Adele Williams decided to give him "one last chance" and suspended his latest prison sentence of 12 months for two years.

After Sheehan’s arrest, he admitted another 14 similar attacks – in an effort to “wipe clean the slate”, Canterbury Crown Court heard.

His barrister Simon Taylor said: "He has committed a very large number of offences of dishonesty and his record shows that prison has not worked to rehabilitate him."

He said Sheehan had not received a community order since 1999, when he was 18.

"It’s important that since December last year he hasn’t committed any offences of dishonesty," said Mr Taylor.

Judge Williams retorted: "Well he has been locked up for most of that time!"

Mr Taylor added: "Well given his list of previous convictions even getting to February 2 is some achievement."

"this is a point in your life where you can rehabilitate yourself, put criminal offending behind you and start living an honest an industrious life - judge adele williams

Mr Taylor said that in December last year, Sheehan became a father which "can sometimes be a defining moment".

"He says that because of that he now wants to live a productive life."

Denzil Pugh, prosecuting, told the court how Sheehan had been spotted attempting to kick in the window of the store – a week earlier he had smashed his way in and stolen a variety of perfumes.

He was later arrested during a drugs raid at his home for possessing cocaine, which he had stashed inside his wardrobe and was remanded in custody awaiting sentence.

Judge Williams told him: "In my judgement this is a point in your life where you can rehabilitate yourself, put criminal offending behind you and start living an honest an industrious life."

Sheehan was ordered to undergo treatment for his drugs addiction and will be electronically tagged for the next three months.