Portsmouth burglar, 29, spared jail for second time after being caught with drugs
and live on Freeview channel 276
Chauncey Hocking, 29, avoided an immediate jail term when he was sentenced to 18 months jail suspended for two years for a burglary in March 2017.
Now Hocking, of Osier Close, Tipner, has avoided prison again after police found cannabis at his home address on June 27, Portsmouth Crown Court heard.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe drug discovered by officers was of an amount deemed only for personal use.
But as the offence took place within the period of his suspended sentence - which started on March 28 last year - the defendant was automatically brought back before the court to decide if the jail term would be activated.
But judge Timothy Mousley QC decided to spare Hocking, who admitted possessing a Class B drug, jail.
He told the defendant: ‘I am not going to activate the suspended sentence as it would be unjust to do so.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad‘The (burglary) offence was committed in March 2017 and this offence is completely different in nature with it being possessing cannabis.’
Instead Hocking, who has 23 previous convictions to his name, was handed a £100 fine and told to pay a surcharge.
SEE ALSO: Padeophile scout leader jailed
A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron
Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.
The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online.
Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.