Homeless man begs to be 'locked up'

A homeless man asked to be sent to prison yesterday while he awaited his trial for attacking someone.

Forty-seven-year-old Rueben Mayho appeared in Magistrates' Court to set a trial date but instead asked Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner to lock him up. Mayho is accused of possessing an offensive weapon and causing grievous bodily harm to John Petty on July 3 2008.

He had been granted bail but yesterday said to Mr. Warner: "Just lock me up."

When asked if he was serious and told that his behaviour indicated he was not stable Mayho said: "Just lock me up please sir."

Mr. Warner replied: "Well, I guess he just got an all inclusive vacation to the Westend hotel."

Mayho will appear for mention and a new trial date next week.

Shoplifter given a second chance

A homeless man who has fallen on hard times, burned bridges with his family and run afoul of the law has been given a chance by the courts.

In Magistrates Court yesterday Antwan Lewis pleaded guilty to breaking into his uncle's home to make a fried egg sandwich on September 29 and shop lifting a carton of eggs, packet of turkey, cheese and sausages from the Shelly Bay Market Place on August 7.

It has been 14 years since Lewis previously broke the law and he told the court: "Since then I have been good. I came out of jail as a chef and I've not been in trouble. But then I fell down and started using cocaine again.

"I don't know what to do, if you send me out there where will I go? I'm going to end up in Albuoys Point and there is shame in that."

But he told the courts he did not want to go to prison and asked Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner for help. Mr. Warner said he did not believe he should send Lewis to jail but was concerned about options available for the 49-year-old.

Lewis was released on $2,000 bail but told to meet with the Department of Court Services yesterday afternoon so that social inquiry reports can begin. He will reappear in court on November 19.

Nursery school burglarised

A nursery school has been targeted by burglars.

According to a Police spokesman, officers were called to the scene at Tree Tops 2 Nursery School in Southampton yesterday morning at 9.30 a.m.

The complainants stated that sometime between 5.45 p.m. on Tuesday and 8 a.m. yesterday, an unknown culprit got into the premises and stole a Toshiba DVD player and two 'Lasko' tower fans.