A MAN with a history of knife and firearms offences who sent sexual and offensive text and picture messages to a 16-year-old girl has been jailed after a magistrate decided he posed a risk to the public.

Michael Illingworth was sentenced to eight weeks’ imprisonment when he appeared at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Chairman of the bench Gamil Haddad said he was unimpressed that 21-year-old Illingworth, of Main Road, Denholme, had failed to complete any of a 100-hour unpaid work order imposed on him last July for another offence. The court heard that Illingworth, who had pleaded guilty to sending communication of an indecent or offensive nature at an earlier hearing, was suffering from mental health issues.

Mr Haddad said: “There is a probation order you have not complied with at all. It was 100 hours but not a single hour has been completed since July last year.

“A probation order is a waste of time. You need some help, maybe mental help. Our hands are tied.

“We have no other option than to send you to custody. There are two previous knife offences and two previous firearm offences. We cannot take that risk. It is a risk to the public.”

The court heard Illingworth sent messages to the victim between June 3 and 6 last year. The court was told they were of a sexual and threatening nature. He must pay an £80 victim surcharge.