A COWES man who persistently ignored contact from probation officers has been given a suspended sentence.

Paul Symonds, of The Chandlers, appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court last Tuesday (November 23).

The 40-year-old admitted failing to comply with a community order made on March 15, 2021.

The court heard Symonds had failed to attend a number of appointments, and made no attempts to fit unpaid work into his schedule.

The bench was told Symonds still had 199 hours of unpaid work to complete, and 13 rehabilitation days.

He was originally sentenced to a 12-month community order for assault by beating.

Oscar Vincent, defending, said Symonds tried to explain to his offender manager how he had a progressive illness associated with his digestive system.

He said he was in persistent pain, vomiting and experiencing other long-standing systems.

Mr Vincent said Symonds was suffering from anxiety, depression, had an eating disorder, had been signed off sick and was living on a liquid diet.

He said illness, symptoms and previous work commitments had all contributed to his failure to comply with the order.

Magistrates told Symonds a court order was a court order, and you did not choose whether to obey it or not.

Symonds was given a six-week prison term, suspended for 12 months, to include 15 rehabilitation days.

He was ordered to pay costs of £60 and made subject of a six-week curfew, between 7pm and 7am