AN ISLE of Wight man who completed a mere eight hours of unpaid work — with 442 outstanding — has been jailed, despite pleading to be given one final chance. 

Lachen Downs, of Tennyson Road, Cowes, appeared at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on Tuesday. 

The 24-year-old was unsuccessful in appealing against a sentence for two separate court orders. 

Laura Duff, prosecuting, told the court Downs had been made subject of two suspended sentences — one in April of last year, and another in May of this year. 

She said the first was a three-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, to include 270 hours of unpaid work and 65 rehabilitation days.

Downs failed to attend both a home visit and an office appointment, and completed one hour of unpaid work and two rehabilitation days. 

The court heard Downs had been made subject of a second suspended sentence at the Isle of Wight Crown Court — an 18-month jail term, suspended for 24 months, to include 180 hours of unpaid work and 30 rehabilitation days. 

Downs had completed seven hours on this order, and nine rehabilitation days. 

The court heard, of the two periods of unpaid work he attended, on one occasion he was late, and on the other he left early due to illness. 

Jim Osborne, defending, said Downs had mental health issues, fetal alcohol syndrome, dyslexia, ADHD and autism. 

Mr Osborne said Downs had already spent six months remanded in custody. 

Read more on Lachen Downs' recent court cases:

Judge Susan Evans said Downs had a huge number of hours to complete, attributing that circumstance to an 'utter lack of engagement'. 

She said she had no confidence Downs would carry out the orders and it was not unjust to activate the suspended sentences. 

As 'an act of mercy', Judge Evans ordered that the jail terms run concurrently, and Downs was jailed for six months.

On hearing he would be sent to prison, Downs pleaded for one last opportunity to prove he could comply with court orders, saying he 'couldn't go back' and 'didn't feel safe'.

Unswayed, Judge Evans ordered he be sent down.