Man is granted wish for prison

A YOB who trashed his mother's house and threw a shopping trolley through a shop window begged to be sent to prison on Monday.

Short-tempered James Martin, 22, of Hunt Road, Tonbridge, kicked his mother's rubbish bin and tumbledryer and smashed a glass vase by throwing it at a window in March.

Just after being made redundant on Boxing Day, he turned his alcohol-fuelled anger on Osborn Stores in London Road, Southborough. He hurled a metal trolley at the window, smashing it and causing £1500.

At Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court, he told magistrates: "Let me do the time – lock me up.

"I already owe a lot in fines so I'd rather you put me in prison and hopefully I can come out with a clean slate. Give me six months – that'll be fine."

No explanation was offered by Martin for the damage caused to his mother Lorna's belongings. He said: "I've reconciled with her and we have a better relationship now."

Prosecutor Peter Cockryll said police were called on Boxing Day to Osborn Stores in Southborough after a member of the public saw Martin pick up a metal trolley and throw it at the store window.

Martin said: "I know it was stupid but I was drunk and I'd taken drugs. I'd fallen out with some friends and I'd been made redundant that day."

He added he was waiting for a place in a residential detox programme.

Chairman of the Bench Carole Findlay granted Martin's wish to be jailed, saying: "We have certain rules we have to follow, but we're not going to follow the recommendation in the pre-sentence report for 12 months' supervision."

Martin was jailed for 56 days and, on release, his £600 or so in fines will be cleared.