A Pembroke man who failed to comply with the requirements of a community order has been fined in court.

Thirty-four-year-old John Brunton, of Colley Court, Monkton, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court to admit the offence.

The defendant was brought before the court after failing to attend rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) appointments with the probation service on August 23 and September 30.

Mr. Brunton also failed to provide acceptable evidence as to why he missed his scheduled appointments.

He was also accused of failing to keep in touch with his responsible officer.

Probation officer, Julie Norman told the court that the defendant was originally sentenced to 20 days of RAR.

Defence solicitor Mike Kelleher told the court that his client had been living at a different address because he had to leave the family home.

He added that the defendant had also been living a ‘chaotic lifestyle’.

As a result, Mr. Brunton was not receiving any mail and he did not have access to a telephone with which to contact the probation service.

It was only when the defendant got hold of the probation service that he knew of the proceedings.

The court was also told the defendant had an existing restraining order so he was unable to go his old address to pick up his mail, and was also unable to contact his wife.

Mr. Kelleher added that his client was willing to carry out what was required as part of the community order.

Sentencing the defendant, David Ellis, the chairman of the magistrates bench, said: “A breach of a community order is a serious matter for the court.”

Mr. Brunton was fined £80 and ordered to pay £50 in costs, with his existing community order allowed to continue.