A YOUNG dad-of-two from Wrexham has been jailed after squandering numerous chances to serve his punishments in the community.
Elliott Gibson, of Pen Y Bryn, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentence on Thursday morning.
The 20-year-old had admitted one offence of possessing cannabis in the lower courts - putting him in breach of two suspended sentences.
The first of those was a 16 month sentence in relation to dangerous driving and other motoring matters.
And the second was a sentence of six months - made up of four months for assaulting an emergency worker and two for threatening behaviour.
The breach of those sentences came about by way of his further offence - which took place on January 8.
Police on patrol in Wrexham spotted Gibson - and noticed he ran as soon as he saw the police vehicle.
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When he was stopped and spoken to, officers noticed he smelled of cannabis.
Gibson admitted he'd smoked the substance, and later admitted that a quantity of the drug found nearby belonged to him.
The defendant had also breached his suspended sentence by missing appointments, with his engagement being described as "far from ideal."
Sion ap Mihangel, defending, conceded from the outset that he was "facing an uphill struggle" in asking the court to consider anything other than activation for the breached suspended sentence.
He said: "The time has come now for him to face the consequences.
"As the old proverb goes, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.
"He is accompanied today by two loving parents who are very anxious about their child and they are equally as frustrated as the court at the situation.
"They have tried everything themselves to try and assist their son."
Mr ap Mihangel said his client is a dad-of-two - his most recent child having been born in the last few weeks.
"The reality is he can't cope," Mr ap Mihangel said.
"He struggles with people telling him what to do, with mixing in society and with having other people around him.
"He's been given every opportunity."
Judge Niclas Parry told Gibson: "In August 2022 a court imposed a 16 month sentence; chance.
"14 months later, in front of me, you were given a further suspended sentence; chance.
"What's more remarkable is you then breached both sentences two times and the court gave you another chance.
"And now, whilst on these suspended sentence, you've committed another criminal offence."
Judge Parry described the defendant's attitude towards the opportunities he'd been given "outrageous," telling him: "There comes a time when chances run out.
"Unless it is unjust to do so, I must activate the suspended sentences and clearly, it cannot be said it would be unjust.
"Dare I say, it would be a cause of public outrage if I did not."
In total, the Judge activated 12 months of the breached suspended sentences and imposed a seven day concurrent sentence for the drugs offence.
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