A homeless man has been sent back to jail just days after his release because he breached a court order banning him from Truro city centre.

David Bellman had been banned him from the city centre because of his nuisance behaviour, but returned to prison on Tuesday after breaching the order for the fifth time, although he had not been causing any trouble.

Bellman, 45, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty at Truro Magistrates’ Court to breaching a criminal behaviour order first made in July for his anti-social behaviour.

The court heard that on the latest occasion he was not causing any trouble, but was found where he should not be, outside the Natwest Bank in Truro, a favourite place for homeless people, at 9.30 am on January 8.

He told a police officer that it was his birthday and he had wanted to visit his friends.

Alison May for the CPS said outside the bank was a favourite spot for homeless people to meet. She said the problem of many homeless people gathering in Truro was particularly topical at the moment, having hit the headlines and the police were trying to deal with it.

Since the July order Bellman had been to prison more than once for breaching it. He had previous convictions for being drunk and disorderly and for anti-social behaviour.

His solicitor Elliott Moore said on this last occasion, Bellman was not causing anybody annoyance or making a nuisance of himself. He had gone to the city centre because it was his birthday. He knew he should not be there, but he wanted to be with his friends.

“Other homeless people in the city are effectively his support network” he added.

Bellman was sent to prison for 20 days and told to pay a £115 victim surcharge.