A HOMELESS man was jailed for 29 months for betraying two friends who tried to help him overcome medical problems.
In one case, Gerado Persico used a key to sneak into a man's Derby flat before leaving with PlayStation games, the city's Crown Court was told.
Only a week earlier, Persico had stolen a mobile phone from another friend after spending the evening at her home.
She had described him ''as a trustworthy individual but was very upset because the phone contained irreplaceable family photographs she would have no access to in future,'' said Siward James-Moore, prosecuting.
Persico, 30, pleaded guilty to theft on January 30 and burglary of a flat on The Maltings, Derby.
He had two earlier convictions for burglary.
Mr James-Moore said Persico had known his female victim ''for some considerable time.''
He called on her at 8pm and stayed until 2am.
After he left, she went upstairs and noticed her mobile phone had gone from her bedroom. She searched for it and was ''furious'' when she realised it had been stolen.
On February 7, Persico called on a man to say he was ready to hand back some money he had borrowed.
''But it seems he was after more money than he was planning to give it back,'' said Mr James-Moore.
Persico picked up the man's wallet but it was taken away from him. They then walked to a cashpoint but no money was withdrawn. The victim said he would not give him any money and ran back home where he locked the door of the flat, the court was told.
''He heard someone entering the flat via the front door. It was the defendant who said he had a key.
''He went into the living room where he saw 25 or 26 PlayStation games. The defendant left with the games.
''This was a burglary because he had no right to go into the flat. He had no business being there at all,'' added Mr James-Moore.
The court heard that the offences were committed shortly after Persico had been put on probation and ordered to undertake regular drug tests.
Emma Hodgson, for Persico, said: ''He describes himself as feeling ashamed of his behaviour in betraying friends who were trying to help him at the time.
''He was experiencing difficulties and had been in hospital with a severe blood infection to the arm.
''Having turned 30 last week, he said he doesn't want to spend the next decade as he did his twenties,'' said Miss Hodgson as she urged the judge to keep Persico out of jail.
But Judge John Pini QC told him: ''There is a limit to the number of chances you can be given.
''I am afraid you have run out of them. The house burglary was committed while subject to a community order.''
