Drink-drivers banned from roads

Man who breached ASBO 28 times given final chance

A DRUNK who has breached an anti-social behaviour order nearly 30 times has been spared a prison sentence after a judge agreed to give him a final chance to get help for his problems.

Daniel Palmer, 30, was made the subject of an Asbo in 2007 and since then has breached the order 29 times, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Palmer, of Lacey Street, Ipswich, was committed to the crown court for sentence for three breaches of his Asbo, possession of ketamine, assaulting a police officer and criminal damage.

He was sentenced to a community order during which he will be under supervison by the probation service for 18 months and will attend a residential treatment course and an alcohol treatment requirement. Sentencing him, Judge John Holt said Palmer had a dreadful record and if he breached the community order he would be brought back to court and could be sent to prison.

He said Palmer had spent the last 35 days in custody.

“You should have dried out and that gives me the opportunity not to send you to prison,” he added.

Michael Crimp, prosecuting, told the court that on June 14 Palmer was seen drinking cider out of a bottle in Friars Street in breach of his Asbo and when he was arrested a wrap of ketamine was found on him.

On August 10 he went into the probation service office in Lower Brook Street, Ipswich smelling of alcohol and asked for the police to be called. He had then started throwing things around, causing £100 of damage.

The police were called and Palmer was found in possession of a nearly empty bottle of vodka, said Mr Crimp.

Two days later police officers were called to the office of Hawk Express in Ipswich after Palmer asked for a taxi to take him to the Orwell Bridge.

Palmer was the worse for drink and when a policewoman approached him he raised his fist resulting in her using an incapicitant spray on him and handcuffing him.

Ian James for Palmer asked the court to give his client a chance to attend a residential course to get help for his problems rather than send him back to prison.