A Bristol homeless man deliberately got himself arrested to escape a December storm.
Anthony Farden was so alarmed at the thought of sleeping rough in a 50-mph gale and torrential rain on December 6 last year that he stole from a shop and hung around to wait for police.
The 34-year-old made sure he would be arrested by attacking a store detective and two police who were called to the Co-op shop in Palace Avenue, Paignton, reports Devon Live.
His plan succeeded and he spent the night in the cells at Torquay custody centre but almost backfired when he appeared in Exeter Crown Court this week.
In the intervening six months, he has moved away from Torbay and found permanent accommodation in Bristol, which he was at risk of losing if he had been sent to jail today (Wednesday).
Farden, of Webb Street, admitted two thefts, battery of the store security officer, and assaults on two emergency workers.
He was jailed for six months, suspended for a year and ordered to receive 20 days of probation supervision by Judge Timothy Rose.
Mr Rose said he was not sending Farden straight to jail because of the Covid crisis and in recognition of the efforts he has made to stabilise his life.
Mr Paul Grumbar, prosecuting, said Farden stole four cans of Red Stripe lager from the Co-op on the morning of December 6 last year and was identified on CCTV after he left the shop.
He returned at 7.20 pm and was caught stealing again. The security man retrieved the goods and ushered him out of the store but Farden refused to leave.
He elbowed the guard in the face and then lashed out at two officers who were called.
Miss Katie Churcher, defending, said Farden was homeless and did not want to return to the Factory Row hostel because his sleeping bag had been lost or stolen.
He committed the second theft with the intention of being arrested because he did not want to sleep rough. He has now addressed issues of mental health and homelessness and is working well with probation.
