Shropshire Star

Homeless man found with knife and drugs in Shropshire avoids jail

A homeless man who armed himself with a butter knife and threatened to rob a Shrewsbury shop to get thrown in jail has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

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Jason Mytton wanted to get thrown in prison to solve his housing issues, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard.

Miss Balvinder Bhatti, prosecuting, said the 53-year-old's ex-wife phoned the police and said Mytton told her he was going to carry out a robbery at the Co-op store in Wenlock Road, Shrewsbury.

He was arrested and searched and police found the knife and two morphine sulphate tablets, which are used as a painkiller.

Miss Bhatti said: "He said he was unable to get assistance for housing.

"He thought getting sent to prison would sort out his housing problems."

Mytton, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to being in possession of a knife and class A drugs in July this year.

Mr Peter Hemming, representing Mytton, said he had been in custody since committing the offence.

He told the court: "It is in essence a cry for help for accommodation."

Judge Jim Tindal handed him a nine month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with a 25 day rehabilitation activity requirement.

He told Mytton: "It might be thought that this was a cry for help but it has to be seen against your previous convictions where you have committed a number of different offences including robberies involving knives."

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