Court: Homeless Man Jailed For Trespassing

July 23, 2018

[Written by Don Burgess]

A homeless man was sentenced to 10 days in jail for trespassing.

Keith Peniston, 60, of no fixed abode pled guilty to trespassing at a business’ property earlier this month. Mr Peniston testified he was just looking for someplace “to smoke a cigarette”.

The complainant said Mr Peniston was blocking the front entrance when she arrived at the building. The woman took a photo of Mr Peniston and said he was sitting near the ‘no trespassing’ sign near the entrance.

A statement by Crown counsel said, “The defendant has been advised for several years not to trespass on the property. However, he continues to do so.

“The company has posted several ‘no trespassing’ signs posted around their property prohibiting the defendant and other vagrants from entering their property.”

Defence counsel argued that his client would be better dealt with through social services and that sentencing Mr Peniston to jail would not be a solution to this problem, saying, “Just locking him up your Worship, won’t benefit him nor will it serve the public interest.”

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo issued Mr Peniston a 10-day jail sentence.

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