A BURGLAR who was given a chance to detox with a drug treatment and testing order, attended only five of 35 sessions, a court heard.

Billy Brazil, 22, of Lily Drive, West Drayton, was placed under the order at Isleworth Crown Court last December but was back last Thursday to be re-sentenced for burglary, aggravated vehicle taking and driving while disqualified and without insurance.

The burglary occurred on March 13 last year when Brazil smashed a window in a home near his own and helped himself to a computer, said prosecutor Subhankar Banerjee. The computer was recovered and forensic tests led police to Brazil.

Last September Brazil was seen driving a stolen red Vauxhall Astra van but took off when he spotted police, the court heard.

"He drove down the wrong way on the A312 dual-carriageway so that oncoming vehicles including lorries, had to swerve to avoid collision," said Mr Banerjee.

"He crossed the central reservation causing a heavy goods vehicle to do an emergency stop and he travelled at speeds up to 80mph in heavily populated areas where there was a 30mph speed limit.

"Eventually he rammed the police car which was chasing him, by reversing into it," said Mr Banerjee.

Judge Hezlett Colgan jailed Brazil for a total of 18 months and banned him from driving for two years.

May 29, 2003 12:00