A MAN who skipped appointments with the probation service was warned by a judge he will almost certainly be jailed.

Martin Paul Mason was told by Recorder Taryn Turner he had "cocked a snook" at a 150- hour community punishment order imposed in November 2003 for an offence of perverting the course of justice.

Mason, 21, of Castle Hill, Richmond, breached the order and had an extra 50 hours added to it, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Then he failed to attend a number of appointments as required and still had more than 100 hours of the order left to serve.

James Kemp, for Mason, said he had suffered personal bereavement and was also working long hours to support a child he had recently had by an ex-partner.

Mr Kemp suggested Mason could be given another chance to complete the order, but this was rejected by the judge.

She told Mason: "I take the view that you are cocking a snook at this order and have no intention of completing it."

The case was adjourned until October 19 for a pre-sentence report on Mason, who was given unconditional bail.

Recorder Turner said: "When you come back before this court, you will be given a penalty that the sitting judge sees fit, but in my judgement you are going to prison."