Co Armagh man, convicted of drug possession, was living a 'chaotic lifestyle' and failed to show up to Probation, Craigavon court hears

Mathew Hume, aged 38, of Men’s Hostel, Utility St, Belfast, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court on Wednesday (March 11) accused of breaching two community based Probation Orders.

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Hume had previously been convicted of two drugs charges, possessing a Class C drug and possessing a Class A drug on June 25 last year. He was made the subject of a Combination Order in the Portadown area for 18 months and carry out 60 hours of Community Service within 12 months.

He was to reside in the Portadown area and notify the Probation Officer of any change of address. However he failed to comply with the requirements on a number of dates by failing to keep in touch with his supervising officer, notify his change of address and perform 60 hours community service.

Hume’s barrister Mr Peter Coiley said his client had a "pretty chaotic lifestyle” at that period of his life. He said the Probation Report refers to “chaotic engagement”. “It wasn’t helped by the fact that contact was lost.”

"The reality is he had no phone. He was living homeless. He was sofa surfing and staying with friends in Ballyclare. Everything collapsed around him,” said the barrister.

"He is slightly more settled and in a hostel in Belfast since the end of November and it seems things were more positive. Simply in terms of his presentation today, compared to how I have seen him before it is certainly warrants some cautious optimism.

"He is trying to get his life back on track. He’s a bit more organised and has a new mobile phone”

District Judge Michael Ranaghan described him as "very courteous” coming into the court but also noted his “chaotic” lifestyle. He revoked Hume’s Probation Order and resentenced him.

For the Class A possession the defendant was given a four months jail sentence suspended for 18 months. For the Class C he was given a two months concurrent jail term suspended for 18 months.