Another last, last chance as Hungerford offender Ethan Martin-Jones avoids prison again
A KETAMINE addict who repeatedly defies the courts has swerved jail yet again – so he can help care for his newborn child.
Ethan Martin-Jones’ latest court appearance appeared to make a mockery of judges’ previous, repeated warnings of impending imprisonment.
He was initially given a suspended sentence and told that, if he breached its terms, he would almost certainly be jailed.
But within weeks the 21-year-old, of Combe View, Hungerford, did indeed breach them.
Then breached them again…and yet again.
Ironically, the judge on the last occasion told him: “No judge is going to give you another chance.”
It all began last April when Martin-Jones was convicted of drink-driving in a Volkswagen Polo he had taken without the owner’s consent, and then damaged, in Hungerford in August, 2023.
To make matters worse he had been driving without insurance or a valid licence.
The judge suspended the consequent 10-week prison sentence and warned that, if he did not comply with the terms of unpaid work and keeping probation appointments, he would likely be jailed.
Last October, Martin-Jones was brought back into the dock for his first breach.
The court was reminded that sentencing guidelines recommended immediate activation of the original jail term unless it could be shown it would be unjust to do so.
Nevertheless, the court was persuaded to give him another chance.
Instead of locking him up, an additional 20 hours of unpaid community work was added to the total.
But then, in January, Martin-Jones was back in the dock at Reading Crown Court.
A probation officer told the court he had breached the order yet again, failing to complete his unpaid work and generally showing “low level compliance” with authorities.
In addition, she said, Martin-Jones had disengaged with his court-ordered mental health treatment and failed to complete an online course.
The probation officer concluded on that occasion: “Given that this is his second breach, it’s hard to move away from activation [of the prison sentence].
The judge told him: “You’ve come within a hair’s breadth of going downstairs [to the cells]…no judge is going to give you another chance.”
She marked that breach with a fine of £150.
Then, on Wednesday, June 11, Martin-Jones was back in the dock once more, where he admitted breaching the order a third time.
A probation officer again urged immediate imprisonment, telling Judge Kirsty Real he had failed to attend more appointments without explanation or excuse.
In addition, she said, he had relapsed back into drug abuse.
Sam Clarke, defending, said his client had been abusing ketamine since the age of 13 and the recent birth of his son had triggered a relapse into addiction – hence his latest non compliance with the probation service.
As well as his newborn son, Martin-Jones helped his partner care for her five children by a previous partner, the court heard.
Judge Real queried whether social services were happy for him to be around the children, given his ketamine addiction.
Mr Clarke assured the court they had “no real concerns” around the issue.”
Judge Real told Martin-Jones: “There is literally no excuse – no excuse.”
Nevertheless, she added: “You’re going to be saved today by your new baby and by social services who say you’re of use to the family unit.
“You were told you wouldn’t get another chance.
“This is one – you won’t get another.
“Go and look after your baby.
“And stay away from ketamine.”
She fined Martin-Jones £50 for the third breach.
