A HOMELESS man begged a judge to send him to prison because he believed he would be safer from the deadly coronavirus outbreak in jail.
But Mark Davies was told that being in custody potentially put him in a more dangerous position from the pandemic than if he were free.
The 34-year-old was appearing in court for breaching a restraining order which prevented him going to his parents’ house in Cwmbran, prosecutor Mike Powell said.
MORE NEWS
- Husband appears in court charged with murdering his wife of 44 years
- Paedophile chef tried to groom girl, 15, on Snapchat
- Drug dealer caught with 20 bags of cannabis faces jail
Cardiff Magistrates’ Court heard how Davies, of no fixed abode, had committed a technical breach and that there was “no unpleasantness or threats made”.
The defendant admitted breaching the restraining order and asked to be punished with a jail sentence because he felt he would be safer locked up.
Judge Stephen Harmes told him that he didn’t think this was true.
He said to Davies: “If one person gets coronavirus in jail, then you could be in big trouble.
“We are trying to avoid prison sentences because governors are tying to keep people out.”
Judge Harmes sentenced the defendant to a 12-month conditional discharge and told him he will have to pay a £21 surcharge.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel