A HOMELESS Carlisle man who visited his mother in defiance of a court order swiftly made a run for it like “The Flash”, magistrates heard.

But Josh Smith, 24, was no so lucky when police returned to his mother’s Belahy home later the same day – when officers found him in the bedroom where they had earlier glimpsed him through a window.

The defendant, now of Spencer Street, Carlisle, admitted two counts of breaching a restraining order which a court had imposed on November 29, 2021, prosecutor George Shelley told the city’s Rickergate court.

The offences came to light on November 7 last year.

Mr Shelley said police went to the home of the defendant’s mother in Deer Park Road, Belah, to conduct a welfare check, and while they were there, they briefly saw the defendant through a bedroom window.

“But Mr Smith quickly retreated into the property and the officers saw him exiting via the rear first floor window,” said Mr Shelley.

When the officers returned to the house a short time later they found the defendant in the same room where he was seen earlier. He told the police officers that he had become homeless and had asked him mother if he could stay.

She had allowed this, said Smith.

Anthony Wilson, defending, told the court: “The first time he made a bolt for it, like The Flash. But the second time, he thought: ‘The game is up.’” Mr Wilson stressed that the police were at the house to conduct a welfare check and their visit had nothing to do with the restraining order, which was just three weeks from expiring.

The lawyer said that Smith was now settled and spending his time between his girlfriend’s and his friend’s house. “There are no further issues with his mum,” added Mr Wilson.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order, with 100 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity days. The defendant must also pay a £114  victim surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.