Barnstaple man arrested days after court appearance

A 41-YEAR-OLD avoided prison despite being arrested only three days after being given a suspended prison sentence.

Neil Metters, of The Maples, St George's Road, Barnstaple, appeared before North Devon Magistrates' Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to using threatening and disorderly behaviour.

He had been arrested on Saturday near Barnstaple Police Station after swearing at members of the public and police officers.

Prosecutor Sue Roberts said he had been to the police station to collect some belongings, which had been taken from him when he was last in court on February 13.

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At that hearing he had been given a suspended eight week prison sentence for burglary, theft and possession of an offensive weapon.

On Saturday Metters said to a passing couple: "I've been told to come down here. If someone doesn't see me I am going to start smashing windows."

Police officers then spoke to him and he walked off into Castle Green swearing.

He then returned and police warned him to leave the area but he failed to do so. He was then arrested.

Zara Svensson, solicitor for the defence, said her client had been suffering from long term, chronic mental health problems which he had been trying to sort out for many months.

He said: "He has an assessment at the hospital today which he had been waiting for for months and if his suspended sentence was activated he doesn't know when he would secure another one."

Magistrates sentenced Metters with a £75 fine and a £20 victim surcharge.