A BURGLAR undergoing a course to help quit heroin told a judge how he is now sitting on a council as an adviser on drug-related crime.

Mark Stewart, 26, of Barnet Avenue, Ledbury, appeared at Gloucester Crown Court for a review of his progress on a drug treatment and testing order imposed in January last year.

Stewart was sent on the Herefordshire-based scheme after he admitted an attempted burglary, possession of cocaine and heroin, theft and failing to surrender to bail.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC said: "I hear you're sitting on a council advising police on tackling drug-related crime. You're a poacher-turned-gamekeeper! You should be able to help them, you've done enough crime in your time."

Stewart went on to say that he hoped to become an HGV driver.

The judge sent him away until his next review on March 17.