A NUISANCE who already owes a court £6,000 in fines was found asleep in Asda in Worcester after giving chase to the thief who stole his mobile phone.

Karl Bainbridge, who is said to have suffered a possible broken jaw after slipping on ice, admitted breaching the terms of his criminal behaviour order (CBO) after he was found 'in the vicinity of Asda, in St Martin's Quarter'.

The 36-year-old, now of Betjeman Close in Pershore, accepted he breached the CBO on November 6 this year. The CBO was made on November 16 last year.

Mark Hambling, prosecuting, said Bainbridge was prohibited from entering the entirety of Lowesmoor in Worcester which included St Martin's Quarter.

"Officers have found him asleep and intoxicated and in breach of his criminal behaviour order" said Mr Hambling.

He added: "They have him over a barrel."

The clerk said Bainbridge still owes the court 'just shy of £6,000' and that there was little point in adding to that total.

Bainbridge said the money he owed was being deducted from his benefits

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We reported last year how Bainbridge has slapped with a three year criminal behaviour order after the case was adjourned 12 times, partly due the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the courts.

The order prohibits Bainbridge from entering the Hive in Sawmill Walk but also stipulates that he must not refuse to leave a premises or area when asked by someone who has authority to do so.

Bainbridge must not enter the area of Lowesmoor and Sansome Place or Heenans Court, Worcester and has been given maps which show him clearly where the no go areas are.

Barry Newton, defending, said his client now has an address in Pershore which he has had since he was released from prison earlier this year.

The solicitor said Bainbridge had come into Worcester to an area he was permitted to be but that his phone was stolen.

He gave chase and this pursuit took him into a part of Worcester where he was not supposed to be. He said Bainbridge later fell asleep which was where police found him.

Mr Newton told magistrates Bainbridge had since fallen over on the ice. "I have recommended he goes to hospital. He possibly has a broken jaw from what I can see," he said.

Magistrates imposed one day's detention in lieu of any financial penalties.