Court orders seaton man to change his ways or face prison.

A former Seaton man has been ordered to change his ways or face prison.

Alexander John Carey, of Custance House, Honiton, appeared at Central Devon Magistrates’ Court last week for sentencing.

At a previous hearing, the 20-year-old was found guilty of assaulting his former girlfriend and pleaded guilty to sending an offensive and menacing text message to her on May 2 at Seaton, and using threatening words and behaviour on April 12.

He also admitted aggravated vehicle taking, driving whilst disqualified, driving under the influence of alcohol and using a vehicle without third party insurance at Honiton on June 22.

Defending, Jeremy Tricks told the court that much of Carey’s offending was alcohol-related and said: “If alcohol isn’t addressed, he will keep on being more of a pain to society – coming back to you and costing the taxpayer money.”

The court also heard the defendant had been subject to a community order of 100 hours unpaid work for taking a vehicle without consent, and had only completed 34 and quarter hours.

The chairman of the bench, Edwina Bradshaw, said: “For the assault by beating, which was a nasty assault on your ex-girlfriend, we are going to make a suspended sentence for a total period of 21 weeks.

“This is a custodial sentence, but we are prepared to suspend it – don’t commit another offence in the next 12 months and comply with the requirements imposed.”

Carey received a 21-week custodial sentence for sending an offensive text message to his ex-girlfriend and no separate penalty was given for the public order offence in which he used threatening behaviour.

For aggravated vehicle taking, he received a 21-week custodial sentence and a driving disqualification for three years.

He was sentenced to a further 21 weeks in custody, to run concurrently, for driving whilst disqualified and another 21 weeks for driving under the influence.

His licence was also endorsed.

No separate penalty was given for the offence of driving without insurance.

Carey’s existing community order was revoked and he was re-sentenced to four weeks in custody to run concurrently.

The custodial sentences were all suspended.

In addition to this, Carey was given a supervision order for 12 months and an alcohol treatment order.

Mrs Bradshaw added: “If you break any of the requirements or commit any offences while on order you can expect to serve a prison sentence.

“You will go to prison.

“You have not been to prison before - if you do anything now then this is hanging over you and you are in trouble.”

There were no orders for costs or compensation.