Sutton man breached bail by getting a job

Christopher Beniston, 28, of Mapplewells Crescent, admitted breaching conditions which were set on May 12 in relation to a charge of criminal damage which will be tried on May 19.

He was ordered not to contact six witnesses or visit St Michael’s Street or Chatsworth Street.

But police were called to Mapplewells Crescent just before 2am on May 17 after police received reports of two men looking around a caravan.

George Speed, prosecuting, said: “Mr Beniston told police he had been looking for a packet of cigarettes that he lost.

“It was found that he shouldn’t be in association with Freddie Holiley.”

Chris Perry, mitigating, said: “Mr Beniston was charged with criminal damage on March 29 at St Michael’s Street. Certain conditions were thought necessary.”

He told the court that Mr Holiley had offered Beniston a job with his scaffolding firm and had dropped him off after a long day’s work.

“The truth is that he has admitted breaching his bail but this is a condition that’s more likely to prevent him from going on the straight and narrow.

“Associating with Freddie Holiley is likely to keep him out of trouble. In the past he has misused drugs. There’s no suggestion he was in the commission of a crime.

“They’re going to be working on a property less than 150 yards from a police station.”

Magistrates counted the night Beniston spent in custody as time served and changed the conditions of his bail so he can legitimately work.