A Newport man who showed what was described in court as ‘wilful and persistent’ breaches of his community order has been sentenced to 11 weeks in prison.
Dale Gill, 31, of Pyle Street in Newport, admitted 2 counts of failing to comply with the requirements of a community order when he appeared in front of Magistrates yesterday (Friday).
A member of the Probation Service told the court that Gill didn’t attend office appointments on 22nd September, 29th September and 5th October. They also told the court Gill had not been in contact with Probation since 25th August.
On his most recently sentenced community order, which was issued on 24th June this year, Gill has only completed 16 of the 220 hours of unpaid work required.
Defending, Oscar Vincent told the court that before the beginning of September, Gill had suffered a fracture in his ankle and that he had mobility issues. He also added that he was also suffering from COVID-19 at the time, hence the non-appearances.
Gill was warned the last time he appeared in court for failing to comply with his community order that if he failed to follow the sentence, custody would be seriously considered.
The offence for which Gill was originally sentenced was aggravated vehicle taking and 2 separate vehicle document offences. Back in February 2019, Gill stole a Land Rover Freelander and crashed it whilst heading down Knighton Shute in Newchurch. He fled the scene at the time but was later forensically linked to the incident owing to blood splatter that was found on the upholstery of the vehicle.
He attempted to hand himself into Police but was told he had to come in at a later date to conduct a voluntary interview. When Police tried to contact him to arrange it he wasn’t contactable. He was eventually arrested a whole year later.
Moments before Magistrates returned from their deliberations, the door lock to the custody corridor turned – and the penny dropped for Gill.
In sentencing, Magistrates said that Dale Gill showed ‘wilful and persistent breach of an order’ and that he was warned the last time he appeared in court.
Gill was sentenced to 11 weeks in custody and was taken down into the cells.
11 weeks lol ooooh the custody lock clicked