A prolific Carlisle offender released from prison and given one chance to prove himself walked out of custody and immediately committed another crime.
Andrew John Jason Bell, 49, had appeared in front of a district judge earlier this month.
For the seventh time, Bell had breached a criminal behaviour order, imposed last May in a bid to curb his offending and protect members of the public.
He did so by going to Carlisle Railway Station and remained there without a valid ticket and with no intention to travel.
Appearing in court from custody, homeless Bell made a desperate plea for release as he sought to secure settled accommodation.
After hearing submissions, District Judge Philip Holden gave Bell one chance to do that, suspending a 12-week jail term for a year.
But when Bell appeared in front of the same judge today, prosecutor George Shelley said: “It appears he has left court and headed straight to the railway station, in a very short time.”
Mr Shelley had also stated: “Mr Bell has contacted Cumbria police to state he is at the railway station in Carlisle, in contravention of his criminal behaviour order.
“He was seen sitting inside the station, drinking cider. He was escorted to the front of the building and asked to leave.
“He then returned later in the evening with more cider which he proceeded to drink at the station.
“In police interview he stated he had no intention to travel. He wanted somewhere warm to drink his cider.”
Bell initially denied the breach but in court today he changed his plea to guilty.
He had more than 250 offences — including eight order breaches — on his criminal record.
Defence solicitor Katie Scattergood, mitigating, said Bell — on that day — had been issued with a travel warrant, enabling him to catch a train to Newcastle where he had been promised overnight hostel accommodation.
“There were cancellations of trains,” said Miss Scattergood. “He remained at the train station. He went to get alcohol. He contacted police himself on the basis he had been there for longer than an hour.”
Bell was asking the judge for another chance, for him to attend a rehabilitation centre at which he had been offered a place.
The solicitor added: “He is having a pretty difficult time in Durham (prison) in the last week. He has been subjected to a number of assaults.”
But Bell’s latest plea fell on deaf ears.
“I imposed upon you a suspended sentence order,” said District Judge Holden. “No sooner had you got that order, you immediately went to the station and remained there.”
Bell was handed an immediate 18-week prison sentence.
“The order is there specifically to protect members of the public who don’t want to hear your boorish behaviour and your abuse.
“I gave you that opportunity and you have declined to take that opportunity. On the last occasion your mitigation was exactly the same as it is today.”
*Bell’s criminal behaviour order remains in place until 2030.
