Downham Market man returns to court after cutting off GPS tracking tag
A Downham man returned to court after removing a GPS locator tag put on as a punishment for a previous offence.
Patrick Richmond, 36, of Beech Road in Downham, appeared in Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday after failing to comply with a community order.
He pleaded guilty to the offence, which took place on November 2.
Probation officer Tracy Carr explained that Richmond had previously been given an 18 month community order following earlier offences he committed.
Richmond had previously been sentenced for spitting at a police officer as well as smearing faeces on a wall in police custody.
Ms Carr explained that Richmond had cut off the tag after saying that it was “scaring him” and that “the government was listening to him.”
Ms Carr said: “He also removed phones, TVs and any technology in his home and destroyed them in the front garden.”
The probation officer noted that Richmond had been attending probation appointments, but hadn’t charged the GPS tag.
“The tag he feels is detrimental to his mental health.”
Richmond has schizophrenia, Ms Carr said: “He doesn’t want to communicate with mental health services.”
Ms Carr requested that the order for the electronic tag, which was supposed to be in place for six months, to be removed.
“I hope that for the first time ever that the court can be sympathetic,” said Ms Carr.
Magistrates approved of Ms Carrs request, but said that Richmond must keep complying with his community order.
