A MAN who forged a letter to get out of community service has had an existing jail term extended by two months.

Andrew Neil Brocklebank, 19, formerly of The Loont, was jailed for abducting a child earlier this year, but appeared in Chester Crown Court last week having pleaded guilty to using a false instrument with intent to pervert the course of justice.

Peter Hussey, prosecuting, said Brocklebank had forged the letter between February and May 2004, which supposedly came from Dr Tony Edwards at the Central Cheshire NHS Trust to the Probation Service, saying he was too ill for community service.

Following an offence of theft Brocklebank had received a community rehabilitation order, but Mr Hussey said: "It had become increasingly obvious that the defendant was becoming discontented with having to report to the Probation Service. He was constantly changing his appointments.

"The letter was addressed to the defendant and told him he had hurt a muscle in his spine.

"It read: 'I recommend that you do not move or lift anything heavier than a cup of tea or coffee, and you should refrain from driving. If you need a note to excuse you from work I will provide one'."

The probation officer was immediately suspicious of the note and, following his arrest for another offence, he was questioned about the letter.

Lisa Edmonds, defending, said Brocklebank had found paid employment during the time of his community service and this 'had taken priority'.

He admitted he had intended to use the letter to get out of community service, but said he was a very 'vulnerable young man' who was currently finding his 18-month prison sentence difficult.

He was due to be released with an electronic tag in December and hoped the offence would not prolong his time in custody.

But Judge Roger Dutton, sentencing, told Brocklebank: "You did your best to convince the Probation Service that you were no longer fit to do the work the court had ordered you to do.

"You forged a letter purporting to come from a doctor.

"You were found out, I'm afraid, because it would seem your letter construction just wasn't up to it."

He sentenced Brocklebank to two months in a young offenders' institution, which would have to be served on top of his current term in custody.