Homeless man broke window to be jailed to ‘get off the streets’

Magistrates Court. Picture: ROB CURRIE. (35974433)

A HOMELESS man smashed a shop window so that he would be arrested to get ‘off the streets’.

The Magistrate’s Court heard that Christopher Henry Hall caused £1,000-worth of damage when he smashed the window of a launderette in Midvale Road on 21 May.

St Helier Centenier Paul Huelin said Hall (49) had picked up a pot plant and flung it at the window.

Hall admitted the offence of malicious damage, and Advocate Nicholas Mière, defending, said: ‘The only way for him, being homeless, is to do something that would lead to his arrest and imprisonment. He takes no pride in that.

‘It is only when in prison that he is off the streets. He is not in that hopeless position, he is fed and he is able to wash.’

Hall was due to appear in court on Wednesday but attended on Thursday.

Assistant Magistrate Peter Harris jailed him for four weeks for malicious damage and a further two weeks for failing to attend court on the day scheduled.

– Advertisement –
– Advertisement –