Community service not my priority says homeless teen (From Swindon Advertiser)

Community service not my priority says homeless teen at Swindon court

11:20am Thursday 28th February 2013 in News

A HOMELESS teenager who told a judge his community service was “not really at the top of my priority list” has been warned he could be jailed.

Danny Norris, who had already been warned for breaching the order, said he was too busy trying to keep his job and ave for a flat.

But Judge Euan Ambrose told him: “If you think getting accommodation is difficult at the moment try doing it after you have been in prison.”

The 19-year-old was put on the one-year community order, with 250 hours of unpaid work, last April after admitting burglary.

And in October he had a further ten hours added to the sentence after he admitted failing to turn up for appointments with the probation service.

Stephen Dent, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court 126 hours were still to be completed after he again failed to show up for work in December and January.

Norris, formerly of St Mary’s Grove, Gorse Hill, told the court he did not have a lawyer representing him and did not want one.

He said he had a job as a chef at the Lydiard Beefeater and was saving up to get place of his own.

“I am homeless at the moment, not completely homeless, but I am struggling to find an address. I am living with my auntie," he said.

“I am trying to save up a bit of money for a flat.

“I know I have been sentenced but it is not really at the top of my priority list. I have got a job and I am trying to keep that."

Judge Ambrose said he was considering imposing a jail term but would give Norris a month to prove he was prepared to do the punishment.