Squatter made to pay for windows
HOMELESS man Justin Brame was so desperate to find somewhere to live before Christmas he smashed two windows to squat inside a property, a court heard.
By Amanda Cresswell
HOMELESS man Justin Brame was so desperate to find somewhere to live before Christmas he smashed two windows to squat inside a property, a court heard.
The Suffolk College student, now living in the Salvation Army Hostel, in Ipswich, told the court he even tried to take his own life just days before Christmas.
Brame, who appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court, admitted two offences of criminal damage between December 10 and 22 and was ordered to pay £60 compensation to the landlord for each window.
The 23-year-old told the court he regretted his actions saying: "I can't make excuses for what I did. But I needed somewhere to live. I wish I hadn't done it, but I can't turn the clock back."
Prosecutor Pat Taylor told the court the landlord visited the newly renovated premises in Back Hamlet to discover a window had been broken and the property was occupied.
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The landlord, who was ready to let the premises, returned on December 23 to find another pane of glass broken. The ground floor was also heavily soiled and Brame had left some of his possessions there. Brame later told police he lived there for two weeks.
Representing himself Brame told the court he was refused help by the council and needed somewhere to live.
"The council refused to help me the last four months," said Brame, who is taking a further education course and is also a volunteer worker for people with head injuries.
"After I was found out (for this offence) I took an overdose and went to hospital. From the hospital I was got somewhere to live."
He added he has been at the Salvation Army Hostel for five weeks and plans to do an art degree at Suffolk College.
Magistrates said Brame would not pay a fine or costs because of his financial circumstances.
