A fleeing thief who jumped into the River Ouse in York while it was in flood has been jailed for six months.

Prolific shoplifter Anthony Martin King, 24, was trying to escape pursuing staff from Game Ltd, in Spurriergate, prosecutor Andrew Moore told York magistrates.

But as he raced down the steps leading to the riverside from Ouse Bridge last February, he found his escape route blocked by the flood waters.

"He, in fact, jumped into the river, something of a foolhardy thing to do," said Mr Moore.

"He splashed around a little while, then thought better of it and came out, when he was, of course, detained."

King, who gave his address as Rowntree Avenue, Clifton, pleaded guilty to stealing a £29.99 computer game, failure to attend court on February 14, breach of a probation order imposed for three thefts and three failures to surrender to custody.

"It doesn't give us any pleasure at all to have someone like you in front of us," said senior magistrate Keith Brining.

King had turned down chance after chance to mend his ways with help from probation and other services.

"Good people are prepared to help you, but now there is only one person can help you break this very sad cycle (of heroin and crime) and that is yourself."

Earlier, King had walked into court and asked to be sent down. He had been wanted on warrant, but police had not yet executed it. He has a long record for theft.

His solicitor, Craig Robertson, said he desperately wanted to kick his "chronic" heroin addiction.

For a time, he had been living with his parents, but they had their own difficulties and he was essentially without a home.

"Prison to him is almost a respite," said Mr Robertson.

"At least he gets a roof over his head and three square meals a day."

King was also very ill from hepatitis C.

"I suspect he doesn't have a life before him because of how his health is now," said Mr Robertson.

* A teenager is to appear before York youth justices charged with swimming illegally in the River Ouse.

The 17-year-old from central York, is accused of being a nuisance or interference to the safe movement of boats on the waterway in the city on April 26. The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is also charged with being drunk and disorderly on Skeldergate Bridge on the same day.

His case was adjourned at an early administration hearing at York Youth Court and he was granted bail to appear next week before the justices.

The Crown Prosecution Service has brought the swimming charge under the 1979 River Ouse and Foss Navigation by-laws.

Updated: 11:51 Wednesday, May 02, 2001