A gamekeeper who was caught dangerously driving a quad bike around Machynlleth has appeared in court again after he moved to south-east England without permission.

Leighton Jones, 22, was handed a community order, which was extended by another 12 months earlier this year, for driving without due care and attention in the historic Powys town in February 2023.

Appearing in court over a video link from his new home, Jones accepted breaching the requirements of his community order by moving to East Sussex in March this year without permission from his probation practitioner.

Welshpool Magistrates' Court was told by the probation service that Jones' compliance "hasn't been great" but he is "now more motivated" to complete the order after only attending four out of 21 scheduled appointments and completing 19.25 out of 120 hours of unpaid work.

County Times: Jones was sentenced last year for dangerously driving a quad bike in Machynlleth.Jones was sentenced last year for dangerously driving a quad bike in Machynlleth. (Image: Google Street View)

Probation officer Julian Davies said Jones had relocated five times since the community order was imposed in March 2023.

"He has always provided an address ahead of relocation for checks to be made," Mr Davies added.

Owain Jones, acting on behalf of the former Llanbrynmair man, told magistrates: "As you will have seen from the report there’s much to discuss, there are lots of missed appointments. It’s safe to say I’ve given him a hard time, so much so that the defendant is aware that you could revoke and impose a custodial sentence.

"Why didn’t he behave in the same manner for the fifth relocation? He admits perhaps that he wasn’t precise and did not communicate as well as he could have but he takes responsibility for this breach.

"There are good reasons for relocation which has really disturbed progress. This is now his first breach and I ask that you deal with it leniently."

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"The long and short of it is he is motivated. He is a gamekeeper in the Sussex area. He has to do better than what he’s doing currently."

Magistrates decided to impose a £130 financial penalty for the breach and ordered Jones to also pay £60 probation costs.

Nerys Jones, chair, said: "We will allow the order as long as you continue to co-operate with your probation practitioner from the area where you are now living. It’s really important that you complete these unpaid hours."