Jail only option for homeless man

Mansfield magistrates were told how Lee Wightman (38), of no fixed Abode, had missed five appointments of an order imposed after he stole two bottles of whiskey.

A probation officer told the court how Wightman had refused to see a community psychiatric nurse while in custody and so recommended a short spell behind bars.

Chris Perry, defending, said: “There is little chance an order could be workable because he is living by his own body clock. The only way of dealing with him is a short prison sentence.”

As he sentenced Wightman, a magistrate said: “You are a prolific offender.”