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David Huntley

County Durham man sentenced for breaching order as judge praises him for doing 'fantastically well'

A judge has told a County Durham man he has done "fantastically well" by complying with a court order following a breach.

Robert Johns was given a suspended prison sentence order in April for charges of threatening behaviour, affray, and criminal damage, which dated back to 2019.

The 32-year-old was also sentenced for other charges of assaulting an emergency worker and escaping from lawful custody at the hearing.

Read more: Go here for the latest reports and live updates from North East courts

Johns was given a 10 month prison sentence, which was suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to carry out rehabilitation days.

But Johns, of Burnhope Way, Startforth, Barnard Castle, was hauled back in front of a judge at Durham Crown Court in December for breaching the suspended sentence order.

At the hearing he admitted failing to attend appointments, as well as failing to be available for a telephone appointment in October.

Judge Ray Singh told him that he would defer the sentence of the breach to see if Johns could begin abiding by the order.

And on Tuesday, he appeared back at the court for the deferred sentence, where the judge was told Johns had indeed abided by the order.

"You have proved me wrong. I thought you wouldn't comply with the order and I was going to have to lock you up", he said.

"But you have complied fully and you are keeping all of your appointments.

"They are there to help you and you have said you would like a few more."

Despite doing "fantastically well", Judge Singh told Johns he would still need to be "punished" for the original breach.

He ordered Johns to complete 10 further rehabilitation days and warned him that if he does not complete them he "won't allow a second chance" and warned he would be sent to prison.

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