A criminal who has committed more than 700 offences has been given a suspended prison sentence after admitting fraud.

Sentencing Ronnie Bridges, Judge Martyn Levett said he had appeared before courts for 72 offences, including 38 offences of burglary over the years and had asked for 664 offences to be considered.

Handing Bridges a one month prison sentence suspended for 12 months and a three month curfew, the judge said he must have committed a 'record-breaking number of offences.'

Bridges, 39, from Lowestoft, admitted attempted fraud by false representation and breach of a suspended prison sentence imposed in February this year for trying to smuggle 20g of 'spice' into Highpoint Prison in Suffolk.

Ipswich Crown Court heard that the fraud related to an attempt by Bridges to use a stolen bank card to pay £14 for tobacco at a Premier store in Lowestoft in April.

Robert Pollington, for Bridges, said his client had been diagnosed with Crohn's disease and was due to have surgery in the next few weeks.