PONTIAC - A Livingston County judge turned down a man's request for a second chance, sending him to prison for five years for stealing televisions that were supposed to pay for his daughter's prom and graduation pictures.

Manual Gaines, 37, of Markham, previously pleaded guilty to charges that included burglary, aggravated fleeing and reckless driving. Livingston County Circuit Judge Harold Frobish on Monday issued several concurrent sentences to Gaines.

In court, Gaines apologized and said he wanted to remain in jail for six months to continue drug rehabilitation and to finish his high-school equivalency studies.

"I am asking for forgiveness in order to be the community member and the father that I know I can be," he said. "I know what I did was wrong, but please believe that if I was sober, it wouldn't have happened. I am asking for the opportunity to start the path for correcting my wrongs.

"I am asking for a second chance," he said.

But Frobish, basing his ruling on previous reports, said Gaines was in the business of burglary and is a dangerous person.

"I know that this is a stiff sentence, but people are what they do and in this instance you were a dangerous individual," Frobish said.

First Assistant State's Attorney Carey Luckman had recommended a three-year prison term. Public defender Randall Morgan had suggested a six-month term in the Livingston County Jail.

During a plea entered in late December, Gaines told the court he wanted to sell more than $10,000 worth of stolen plasma televisions to provide money for prom and graduation pictures for his 17-year-old daughter.

Gaines was arrested Nov. 20. Police patrolling Vermillion Plaza heard breaking glass at the Rent-A-Center, 5 Vermillion Plaza, and saw Gaines in a van parked outside the business.

Police said Gaines drove the stolen van onto Ill. Route 116, crossing the median several times before entering the northbound ramp onto Interstate 55. When he slammed on the brakes, a patrol car hit the back of the van. Gaines then drove over the median and continued south on Interstate 55.

Police later found the van crashed through a field fence near the intersection of Livingston County roads 13190 East and 1600 North. Police used thermal imaging devices and police dogs before finding Gaines in a field.