ASBO offender is spared jail

A serial criminal landed himself in hot water after he tried to go shopping a day before his suspended sentence ended.

Philip Humphries, (21) of Teal Avenue, Mansfield, tried to enter the Poundstretcher store in Sutton, from which he was banned under the terms of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) on 26th and 28th May this year.

Mansfield Magistrates’ Court was told that Humphries had sworn at and threatened staff when he was turned away from the store on two occasions, and was also convicted of two counts of using threatening behaviour.

Humphries appeared before magistrates on Wednesday 8th October also charged with assaulting his partner Hannah Taylor in a separate incident on 29th August, and destroying a cordless phone at her home during an argument.

But the court was told that Humphries had committed offences just days before a suspended prison sentence imposed for other offences was due to end, and he was at risk of being jailed.

Instead District Judge Diane Baker jailed Humphries for a total of 24 weeks, but suspended the jail term for 12 months.

She also ordered Humphries to complete 40 hours of unpaid work in the community and gave him 12 months supervision with the Probation Service.

He must also pay £200 towards prosecution costs and an £80 victim surcharge, as well as complete a thinking skills course. He was told he would be jailed if he appeared before the court again.