A BURGLAR with psychological problems has walked free from court after a spate of crimes against residents and an American in York.

Chris Smith, prosecuting, said that raider Michael Robert Evans, 21, threatened to stab a public-spirited neighbour who tried to stop him burgling the Clifton home of Maureen and Brian Scaife.

As Evans was making his escape, he met the couple's son, Nigel, and told him his parents' home had just been burgled. Then the bail bandit went on to commit a series of crimes in York, including stealing an American mother's handbag as she had a meal at Burger King's Clifton Moor branch with her two young children on January 8 and snatching a full charity box from a Monks Cross sweet shop on April 7.

Evans, of Thoresby Road, Acomb, pleaded guilty to burglary, three thefts and two deceptions and asked for six more deceptions and attempted deceptions to be taken into consideration. All but the burglary were committed on bail. York Crown Court heard he had 24 previous convictions mostly for dishonesty, and had never been to jail in 14 different court appearances.

Judge Peter Benson said his crimes merited prison but added: "It is just appropriate to give you one last chance." He ordered him to do an 18-month community order including one-to-one psychological counselling.

Defence barrister Nicholas Johnson said Evans needed a very structured environment, as he was easily led and had in the past taken medicine for attention deficit syndrome. He had recently become a father to his partner's two-month baby and had a labouring job through an agency.

Mr Smith said Evans broke into the Scaifes' Pembroke Street home while they were on holiday by throwing a concrete slab through a door. But a neighbour alerted by a woman who had seen the break-in, called police and confronted him.

Evans threatened to stab him with a knife and left. By chance, he ran into the Scaifes' son and told him about the burglary.

On December 21, he and an accomplice stole £159 worth of perfume from Boots in Clifton Moor. After snatching American citizen Zenaida Parker's handbag in Burger King, he used her bank card to buy drinks, cinema tickets and other items.

Updated: 10:40 Monday, July 25, 2005