Newport man to learn whether he will be jailed or not

Charlie King, of Prospect Road, Newport, was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months — which included a 16-week daily curfew and 100 hours of unpaid work — on March 26.

The operational period was extended by six months and an additional four-month curfew was imposed for flouting the court order on June 18.

The 22-year-old has since admitted failing, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the unpaid work requirement of the probation order, by failing to attend work details on October 7 and 14.

For King, Peter Pride said his client has handed "a very lucky chance", but has since done nothing at all to co-operate with the Probation Service. 

"Probation, understandably, washed their hands of him. It seems to me, and with speaking with him, matters weren't fully understood about the problems apparent in his life in June," said Mr Prode, at the Isle of Wight Crown Court last Wednesday.

"However, I feel he should speak with a probation officer to explore those issues.

"As a flavour of them, he has significant mental health issues from post traumatic stress disorder, and he is a victim of very extreme domestic abuse, which has been catalogued by the police.

"He struggles to get out of bed — to eat, to wash and to live. This has not been explored by probation and is not apparent to them. Why should they know if the defendant hasn't engaged with them?"

Judge Paul Garlick agreed to allow King the opportunity to speak with probation before he decides whether or not to activate his suspended sentence order (SSO).

He bailed King to reappear for sentencing at the same venue today.

The judge, in adjourning the case, warned King: "There are matters in your case that need to be investigated before I decide your sentence. 

"This your very last opportunity to co-operate with the Probation Service. I earnestly advise you to take it. 

"I cannot give you any promises whatsoever I am not going to activate the SSO."