A FAREHAM man convicted of three counts of assaulting police officers, has been given a reprieve from jail.

Jonathan Stevens, 20, of Alexander Grove, admitted brea-ching a community service order handed down for three convictions for assaulting police officers, one common assault and one criminal damage.

He was supposed to carry out 100 hours of work and stick to an 18-month probation order.

His solicitor Graham Parsons said that he was working as a hod carrier, and simply could not cope with his job and his community service commitments.

Mr Parsons said: "My message to him was that if he wanted to go to prison he should continue as he is doing.

"It is sad to see him here today in this situation because he has been doing well with his drink problems."

Magistrates could have re-sentenced Stevens on the original offences and revoked his community service order.

The chair of the bench told Stevens: "It seems to me that you have been given an inch and taken a mile.

He added: "If you don't do what you are supposed to do you will come back here and we will send you to prison - no question."

Stevens was ordered to re-appear at the court to have his progress assessed in four weeks.