A POWYS man has had a court order to undertake unpaid work extended after completing just 29 of 120 hours in the year since it was ordered.

Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court heard this week that Alex Michael Simmons had failed to comply with a community order made by Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court on August 10 last year, by missing unpaid work appointments on June 26 and July 3, and failing to provide acceptable evidence of these missed appointments.

Simmons, 36, admitted breaching the order when appearing at court on Wednesday, August 3.

Acting for the defendant, of Penybont Road, Knighton, Gareth Walters said: “He has completed 29 hours of the order, with 91 remaining.

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“He was not actually offered any unpaid work until June this year, even though the order was made in August last year. He was originally offered some hours in March but they were offered on a day when no public transport was available.

“He has failed to attend a couple of appointments, but the figures are not necessarily a true reflection. He is in employment now and works as a forklift truck driver, on a rota of four days on, four days off, so his personal circumstances have significantly improved, but it is not good for the progress of the order, as he has his children on his days off.

“He should be prioritising the court order and he’s aware of that.”

Magistrates decided to allow the community order to continue, extending it for a further 12 months. Simmons must also pay a £200 fine.