Thief ignored community work order to go on Jeremy Kyle Show

A MAN is facing jail after he went on the Jeremy Kyle Show instead of doing his community service.Alister Lamb was convicted last November of stealing a string of items – including a toilet seat –from a flat in Dundee.

Sheriff Tom Hughes ordered him to do 200 hours of unpaid work in the community as part of a community payback order instead of sending him to jail.

But Lamb, who has previous convictions for cannabis possession and assault, completed only one hour of work between then and 10 April.

When asked by social workers why he had not done the work, he told them he had missed appointments because he had been filming an episode of the Jeremy Kyle Show.

He had gone on ITV’s daytime confession talk show in a bid to get access to his daughter from a previous relationship. Despite now facing prison, Lamb said: “It was a good experience.”

Lamb, 23, of Baldovie Terrace, Dundee, had admitted a charge of theft by housebreaking.

He and another man broke into a flat in Whitfield Avenue, Dundee, in February last year. They stole a TV, games console and accessories, ornaments, a train set and a toilet seat.

In a report submitted to Dundee Sheriff Court outlining the breach of his order, social workers said: “It would appear that Mr Lamb has not afforded his orders due priority which is evidenced by his continued failures to attend. His most recent evidence to cover absences was an appearance on TV, namely the Jeremy Kyle Show.

“He reports that he now has access to his children, which he contributes to his recent appearance on the Jeremy Kyle Show. There has been no other substantial changes in his circumstances that should preclude him from attending.

“Mr Lamb again has not afforded his order due priority. This despite having been granted extensive periods of time in which to submit evidence.

“Even when evidence has been submitted and accepted, I have no option but to call into question his commitment to his order given the most recent evidence used was an appearance on the Jeremy Kyle Show. I therefore have no alternative but to request that court consider revoking said order in view to imposing an alternative disposal.”

Lamb was facing a jail sentence yesterday but turned up late and his case will now he heard at a later date.

Outside court, he said he had been transported to and from the show by taxi and had been put up in a hotel by producers.

He said: “I wasn’t that good, I was really nervous. It was a good experience, though.

“I watch the Jeremy Kyle Show on the telly, so I thought I’d phone them. I was trying to get access through the lawyers, but I thought I’d try this instead.”

A spokeswoman for the programme said the episode had not yet been broadcast.