PRISON officers led a persistent burglar away in handcuffs after Magistrates sentenced him to four months in jail. Former crack cocaine addict, Asaduz Zaman, was arrested for breaking into To To Kitchen, Longbridge Road, Barking, after police forensics sp

PRISON officers led a persistent burglar away in handcuffs after Magistrates sentenced him to four months in jail.

Former crack cocaine addict, Asaduz Zaman, was arrested for breaking into To To Kitchen, Longbridge Road, Barking, after police forensics specialists found his blood on a smashed window.

Zaman broke the pane of glass and entered the Chinese takeaway restaurant on January 25.

Once inside he rifled through the cash register, stealing �140 and took CDs and vegetables from the kitchen.

Police were able to identify Zaman from his DNA as he was known for several previous burglaries and had spent time in prison last year.

Zaman, 38, of Balfour Road, Ilford, who was under a police curfew to curb his thievery, pleaded guilty to theft at Barking Court last week.

In mitigation his defending solicitor said: "Mr Zaman has had an addiction to crack cocaine in the past.

"He has committed burglaries in order to fund this habit but in this case that was not what was going on.

"Mr Zaman has been attending a drug rehabilitation centre and on this occasion when he stole from To To Kitchen he was just looking for money so he could eat.

"His benefits had been reduced and he had only �9 a week to live off after he had paid his rent.

"If Mr Zaman is sent back to prison today he will most likely relapse back into drugs and all his hard work will be undone."

However Chairman of the Bench, Derek Johnson, said: "I have taken into consideration your guilty plea and I commend the fact that you have tried to overcome your addiction to drugs.

"But we must protect the public and their possessions."

Zaman was sentenced to four months in prison.

Detective Brett Hagen said: "Entering people's homes or businesses is unacceptable, and we will continue to use every legal resource to remove burglars and those dealing in stolen goods from our streets.