Teenager “in last chance saloon” for breaching court orders

Wednesday 03 August 2016

A teenager has escaped jail after breaching community service and probation orders.

The Magistrate’s Court heard Luis Melim is, “...not just drinking in the last chance saloon, but the barman has also already called last orders.”

The 19-year-old had admitted offences of driving without a licence and driving without insurance in May and was returning to court for breaching both sentences. 

Centennier Paul Huelin told the court that Melim, who required an interpreter, was arrested after a minor road traffic collision. 

He had taken the keys for a car from a cafe and was arrested after he was found to have no driving licence or insurance. He was given a probation order and community service order. 

Melim was then arrested for breaching those orders and had been in custody for two weeks prior to yesterday’s court appearance. 

Defending Advocate Paul Nicholls said: “He is only 19 years old and has no previous convictions. 

“The collision did not involve drink or drugs. This is all too common behaviour to use a car without a licence and to get involved in a relatively minor collision.

“He has failed to adhere to the sentence imposed by this court. He knows there is now a very real possibility he will be going to prison as he has not adhered to either the probation order or the community service order. The court could take the view that there is no real alternative. 

“In inviting the court to continue with another probation order it begs the question, why bother? It is my instruction from my client that he will now do his time. Why should you believe what my client says? He has spent two weeks in custody and has found that a very chastening experience. 

“He has seen the sharp end of the consequences of not complying to a court order and he knows where he will go if he does not comply in future. 

“I am asking the court to give him one last opportunity as he appreciates this is his last opportunity. He is not just drinking in the last chance saloon, but the barman has already called last orders. He has reached a nadir in his life and wants to get out and move on.”

Relief Magistrate Mr David Le Cornu said: “You have already spent two weeks in custody so you have a flavour of what happens if you breach a court order.

“I think I am taking a risk but because of your age and the fact you have expressed a willingness now to comply I am going to place you on probation for 12 months. 

“If you breach the sentence again the consequence will be a custodial sentence.”