A man who stole £30,000 from his sister who "lacked capacity" has been hauled back in front of a judge.
Paul Dixon was given a suspended prison sentence in May, 2020 for committing the serious offence and was also ordered to carry out a set amount of rehabilitation days.
But the 57-year-old was brought back to court on Wednesday, after committing breaches in September and December, last year.
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Dixon, formerly of Blackhall Colliery, but now of Beaumont Road, North Ormesby, appeared at Durham Crown Court where he admitted the two breaches.
The court heard that on two occasions he failed to comply with his order by not attending some of his appointments and not providing an explanation why.
Dixon was given a 16 month prison sentence, suspended for two years, on May 28, 2020, after he stole over £30,000 from his own sister, who "lacks capacity" and has learning difficulties, the court heard.
He was also ordered to carry out 20 rehabilitation days and was given a six-month curfew.
Iain Mullarkey, defending, told the court that it was Dixon's first breach, and that he also suffered from some mental health issues.
Judge James Adkin, the Recorder of Durham, said he was "prepared to step away from a custodial sentence" as it was his first breach, but warned him that any further breaches would result in him being locked up in HMP Durham.
"It will be prison if you breach again", he said.
The judge gave him a 14 day curfew as punishment.
