A man has been sentenced to almost seven years in jail for conspiracy to burgle despite having come out of jail only six months before his new offence.

Calvin McKenzie, of Station Road in New Southgate, was hit with a serious crime prevention order (SCPO) when he was released from jail after in October 2015 serving for burglary and theft.

The 36-year-old appeared at St Albans crown court on January 20 in connection with a burglary at a home in Smallford, St Albans in March last year – which breaches his SCPO.

He was found guilty and sentenced to six years in prison for conspiracy to burgle.

For breaching his SCPO, McKenzie was given an additional nine months on to his sentence.

An SCPO is issued after people have been convicted of serious crimes, restricting their movements, activities and associations when they leave prison.

McKenzie will be issued with a further five-year SCPO when he leaves prison and could face up to five more years in prison if he breaches it.

Chief Inspector Dave Wheatley of Herts police’s serious and organised crime unit said: “The SCPO is a valuable tool for us to keep an eye on those we suspect may go back to offending upon release from prison.

“The orders are a safety net allowing us to ensure the community is protected from further criminal activity, as we are able to monitor their activities and take action at the earliest opportunity if the conditions are broken.”