AN offender has been jailed for four months after ignoring a court order to carry out unpaid work for the community.

John Rowberry went for an initial interview with the probation service after being sentenced in September last year to a 100-hour community punishment order.

But Worcester Crown Court was told that the interview counted for one and a half hours and Rowberry had done no work since.

Rowberry, 23, of Chester Road North, Kidderminster, admitted breaching the order. He had originally been sentenced for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Gareth Walters, prosecuting, said Rowberry had tried to fool police after an acquaintance was caught driving at 43mph in a 30mph zone on the A456 at Blakedown.

Rowberry offered to say he was the driver on payment of £50 but later admitted to police that he was not in the vehicle.

Adam Western, defending, said Rowberry appreciated that the order was an alternative to custody but had been working long shifts in his job and was too physically exhausted to carry out the unpaid work.

He was frightened to tell his employers in case he got the sack.