An Armagh man missed an appointment with probation to attend a holiday and failed to inform them of this, a court has heard.
The 24-year-old’s solicitor stated probation “had some issues with the nature of the holiday and who he had gone with”.
Jamie Starkey, of Barrack Hill, appeared charged with two counts of breaching a community based order at the city’s Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
Probation had lodged an application to revoke the enhanced combination order which the defendant had been sentenced to on February 6, 2018, for offences of disorderly behaviour and possession of a Class B drug.
Defence solicitor Jarlath Fields stated: “There have been some issues over his attendance at appointments but he did complete the community service element of the order.
“He had recently come into some money. He went on holiday without the consent of probation. They had some issues with the nature of the holiday and who he had gone with.”
He continued: “The order is due to expire in the next few weeks. He has said he enjoys the help of the probation service as they have helped him with aspects of his life including contact with his children.”
A probation officer confirmed the application was still to revoke the order saying this was Starkey’s second breach.
Mr Fields stated: “He has taken his eye off the ball, as he is currently going through family proceedings.
“He does have a terrible record but it has tapered off in the last number of years.”
Deputy District Judge Peter Prenter adjourned the case until February 4 to see if the defendant would engage with probation in the meantime.
