A FRUSTRATED judge was forced to keep a homeless man in prison over fears he may reoffend if let out before housing had been found for him.

Judge David Owen-Jones branded the situation as “unacceptable” as he adjourned the sentencing hearing of the violent offender so accommodation could be arranged.

Appearing via video link from Chelmsford Prison, Paul Jones, previously living in Sycamore Grove, Southend, was up for sentencing at Basildon Crown Court for two counts of actual bodily harm.

The 39-year-old admitted a knife attack at the home where he rented a room in March which saw him stab a man in the hand and leave a woman with a cut on her forehead.

The court previously heard that Jones, who has what the judge described as an “appalling record of violence”, suffers from a psychiatric condition that causes “violent outbursts”.

Probation recommended a suspended sentence with supervised psychiatric treatment, but the judge was unwilling to put him on the street because he was at risk of reoffending.

Mitigating, Gavin Burrell said Jones was anxious about his release into the community and added: “He made a point of saying this offence took place because he was living in accommodation that was unsuitable.”

Judge Owens-Jones said: “The answer to that is not to lock him up. He has been in custody for seven months.

"The matter should fall to your solicitors. You have a duty I’m afraid and I invite him to call on your solicitors.

"This is ridiculous that a person has nowhere to live and the last offence committed is when he was in exactly the same position. Would I not just be lighting the fire?”

Jones told the court he had difficulties finding housing before that offence was committed.

He said: “The reason I rented a room off the people I assaulted was because I couldn’t get a place to live.

"I asked mental health services for help, I asked probation for help and I asked the homeless hostel in Southend for help. No one would help me.”

Judge Owen-Jones agreed and said: “There is force in everything Mr Jones has said. It’s just everyone washing their hands and that’s totally unacceptable.

"What is a judge to do? Say ‘oh well let’s take a risk shall we? Let him out and see what happens’?

"The only alternative is to adjourn this case for his solicitors to try their hardest to find accommodation.”

Sentencing was adjourned until next Wednesday.