Shopfitter given jail warning after breaching order

Dominic Clark, 23, of Derby Street, Jarrow, failed to keep appointments with the Probation Service on three days in April, a court was told.

Maintaining contact with Probation staff was a requirement after being released from a 19-week prison term for driving while disqualified.

Clark pleaded guilty to the breach when he appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard he was jailed on October 19 last year and, after his release, missed appointments with the Probation Service on April 8, April 15 and April 22.

David Forrester, defending, said: “At the start of Covid, things had gone a little bit haywire. He had had to sell his phone and moved out of his address.

“He did go to the Probation office once and there was no answer, but he accepts that he hasn’t made significant efforts to contact the Probation Service.

“He finds himself in breach. There are seven weeks of the order to go.”

Deputy District Judge Gary Garland told Clark: “It’s your duty to contact the Probation Service.

“The bottom line is if you don’t keep in contact with the Probation Service over the next few weeks, they can bring you back to court.

“You will get your 14 or 28 days back inside. I would recommend that your telephone works and when Probation ring you, you respond.

“It’s a £50 fine, rather than 14 days back inside. Do yourself a favour, it’s not hard.”