A JUDGE spared a career criminal from prison in a last ditch attempt to prevent him ending up on the “human scrap heap”.
Drug addict Anthony Morrow, who has 43 convictions, was told he looked “a sorry sight” and needed to pull himself together after going back before the courts.
Southampton Crown Court heard how Morrow came to blows with victim Neil Castle in a row over drugs which spilled into the road on July 8 last year.
He hit Mr Castle causing him serious injuries which left his leg in a plaster cast from thigh to ankle, his arm broken and needing surgery and a haematoma to the head.
The court was told how he had repeated convictions for theft, drugs offences and burglary and been sent to jail numerous times.
In his defence the court was told Morrow, 43, had admitted what he did upon arrest and later pleaded guilty to the assault at court.
Handing him an 18-month suspended jail term Recorder Stuart Jones QC told Morrow: “If you’re not careful you are going to end up on the human scrap heap.”
Morrow, from Harrington Road, Southampton, was also given an 18-month supervision requirement and a drug rehab order.
