A JUDGE told a serial offender he would "almost have to" be sent to prison should he break the terms of a curfew imposed on him last week.

Timothy Cross, of Clos Ystwyth, Caldicot, Monmouthshire, was last week handed a suspended sentence and strict curfew after a jury found him guilty of one count of going equipped for theft.

The 32-year-old appeared at Hereford Crown Court to be sentenced last Thursday and Judge Toby Hooper told the court how Cross had been convicted after a "remarkably short trial" lasting less than three hours on December 16.

The court heard that Cross had been found in "deeply suspicious circumstances" late at night on an industrial estate in Leominster when no one else was around.

He had a wrench and cutting tools in his car, Judge Hooper said.

David Jackson, prosecuting, told the court that Cross' convictions date back to 1996 with many for dishonesty and some for violence.

Defending, John Dyer, said Cross was "as best as he can be a reformed character".

"He elected this trial and lost and understands he needs to be punished and needs to do something about his life," he said.

Mr Dyer told the court that Cross spent 11 days in prison and it "frightened him terribly".

"He has had that taste of custody and it's to be hoped he will finally turn his life around. He knows he is very, very close to immediate custody."

Sentencing, Judge Hooper told the court that Cross received £500 a week in state benefits with his partner and had the ability to think straight when he wanted to.

He sentenced Cross to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months and a curfew between 7pm and 7am for four months.

He was also served an unpaid work requirement of 120 hours to be completed within six months.

Both the curfew and unpaid work placement would be a "real restriction of liberty", Judge Hooper told Cross, and he would almost have to be sent to prison if he failed to co-operate.

Cross was also told he would have to pay a surcharge.