A West Cumbrian man spared jail for a brick attack is now behind bars for failing to comply with the sentencing judge’s order.
Steven Smallwood, 26, of Cambridge Road, Hensingham, was punished at Carlisle Crown Court in December for affray, offensive weapon possession, assault and criminal damage.
Smallwood had been involved in incidents on two separate dates amid a row over a drug debt.
During the first, he used a hammer to smash a man’s home doorbell camera.
And during a second, several months later, Smallwood attacked the same man with a brick, which he smashed into his victim’s face.
A judge who heard mitigation also noted Smallwood had served time in custody on remand.
As a result, he suspended a 20-month term of custody for two years, and ordered him to comply with rehabilitation work.
But at the crown court today, a judge heard Smallwood had made poor progress, providing the probation service with positive cocaine tests and failing to tackle unpaid work. As a result, the probation service had concluded no more work could be done with him.
Prosecutor Tim Evans said of repeated failures to comply: “Mr Smallwood seems to think he knows better than everyone else.”
In court, Smallwood admitted breaching the December court order by failing to attend appointments without good reason on June 27 and July 16 this year.
Smallwood’s life was said to have spiralled downhill in recent months following a relationship breakdown which had left him fending, unsuccessfully, for himself; and feeling both depressed and lonely.
“I’m afraid you’re not going to be living on your own for the next couple of months,” said Recorder Ciaran Rankin, referring to the defendant’s domestic turmoil. The judge imposed an immediate 12-month prison sentence.
