MAGISTRATES ordered Ely man Neil Garner to carry out an extra 14 hours of community service this week — and warned him he could face jail if he fails to do it. Garner admitted he had completed only one and a half hours of the 80-hour work order he was giv

MAGISTRATES ordered Ely man Neil Garner to carry out an extra 14 hours of community service this week - and warned him he could face jail if he fails to do it.

Garner admitted he had completed only one and a half hours of the 80-hour work order he was given back in June, because he had problems with child care and had suffered ill health.

He also had considerable debts, and had been working seven days a week to raise extra cash, Ely magistrates heard on Thursday.

Garner, 33, of New Barns Avenue, Ely, who works as a screen printer, was given the original 80-hour work order for an offence of assault. He admitted breaching the order by missing a work session on September 17, and failing to keep in touch with the probation service.

"We are willing to give you one last chance to serve your sentence in the community," said presiding magistrate Marisa Johnson. "But be under no illusion, we have the power to send you to jail, and if you do not do the order, that is what we will do.