A YOUNG homeless man has avoided jail despite breaching his probation order on three separate occasions.
Michael Hughes was slapped with an 18 month community order, including 18 months supervision and 100 hours unpaid work, on July 26 last year for charges of theft and assault.
On Friday (March 28) Worcester Magistrates Court heard the 23-year-old, who lives at the YMCA, breached the orders on both October 24 last year and February 20, and so had his order extended.
Hughes was brought before court again after admitting a further breach in the order when he failed to attend a probation meeting on March 4.
The court also heard he had completed his unpaid work by December 11 last year, and there had been no further offending since the order was made.
Defending solicitor David Oliverre said: “Any individual who comes before the court having breached their order is in a very precarious situation.
“I am happy to say on his behalf much good has come from the order. This is a young man, however, who needs to make sure his compliance stays very good, in fact exceptional from here on in.”
Chair of the Bench Sarah Amos added: “Normally on the third breach you would be in a very difficult position indeed, but we have noticed you have made quite a considerable effort with all those times attended.
“There can’t be any more slip ups, there really can’t. It’s in your best interest to finish this order and get on with your life.”
Hughes was ordered to attend 12 hours at a Senior Attendance Centre and told to pay court costs of £50.
