A MAN has been told in court that he must “walk there, get a bus back” to attend his unpaid work sessions, after claiming bus timetables were preventing him from attending.

Sean Weeks, 42, of Jole Close, Kingsdown, told Swindon Magistrates’ Court that the lack of a Sunday bus service was preventing him from fulfilling the requirements of his community order.

“The first bus arrives at 9:21am, and I’ve got to be there by 9am,” explained Weeks, who is required to carry out his unpaid work at the County Ground in Swindon town centre, around three miles from his home.

“I’ve told the probation officer and the person who’s dealing with it.”

He also claimed that the hours required of him were putting a strain on his attempts to see his children, who are based in Southampton, during his only time free from work.

The magistrates ruled that Weeks would have to continue to attend the unpaid work sessions, and work closely with the probation service to ensure the work was completed.

They stated that if there was no bus service at the appropriate time, he would have to walk to the sessions, and get the bus back afterwards.

Weeks was handed the community order in March by North Hampshire magistrates after being found guilty of drink-driving.

Members of the public notified the police of his erratic driving, and, although he was out of the car by the time police found him, he subsequently failed a breathalyser test.