A MAN who punched his victim to the ground and dragged him around in an early hours robbery has avoided a prison sentence.

Jack Alexander Barnes stole a mobile phone, keys and an e-cigarette from Daniel Scott after attacking him in Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, on November 1, 2019.

As reported, Barnes, 27 and of Burton Road, Christchurch, pleaded guilty to robbery as well as an offence of burglary.

This second charge related to a separate incident when he stole items from a woman's handbag at her home in Christchurch on November 13, 2019.

Judge Stephen Climie deferred sentencing Barnes at a Bournemouth Crown Court hearing on September 28 last year. The judge said if the robber stayed out of trouble, he would avoid being sent to prison.

Barnes was back in the dock at the same court on Monday, June 14, to learn his fate.

While the defendant had been convicted of shoplifting three bottles of wine from a Tesco store on November 18, 2020, the judge said he had made progress and described the defendant's rehabilitation as a "long-term project".

"You have made a step in the right direction and that is clearly down to you taking the chance that I gave you," said Judge Climie.

The judge told Barnes that every day he wakes up he needs to take a moment of reflection on whether he is going to go shoplifting or go to work and continue his rehabilitation.

The court heard that the defendant, who spent nearly a year remanded in custody after his November 2019 offending, is now in more stable home and work circumstances.

Judge Climie said Barnes's criminal record was appalling, however, he added: "Each day that goes by is likely to reduce the risk of you coming back before me as long as you keep out of trouble."

Barnes was issued with a two-year community order, which included up to 40 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to the burglary victim and £350 compensation to the robbery victim.

Before Barnes was allowed to leave the dock, the judge warned him not to end up back before the courts, to which the defendant replied: "It won't happen mate."

If you are interested in crime and court news from across Dorset, our dedicated Facebook group could be for you. To find out more and to join the group, click here.