The teenager jailed for missing jury service so he could watch an West End musical said being freed early was the best Christmas present he could ever have.
Student Matthew Banks claimed he was sick so he could go and see Chicago with his mum. A trial, in its fifth day at Manchester Crown Court, had to be halted due to his absence.
When court officials tried to contact him, they found out he was lying and was sentenced on Monday to 14 days in prison for contempt of court.
But after being freed on his fifth day in custody from Forest Bank prison in Salford, he said: "I was terrified. I just wanted to get the time over as quickly as possible. I felt anxious and stressed. I want to relax and calm down now over Christmas."
The 19-year-old said he was given a difficult time when fellow inmates found out he was gay and he was locked in his room for his own safety.
But they would bang on the door and shout things through the shutter normally used by the guards. He said: "They were opening and closing the shutter and trying to get me to respond to things.
"I just thought I need to get through this and then I'm out."
Banks left prison wearing the same clothes as when he entered because he was ‘scared to death’ to have a shower and only ate six meals while he was there.
He was greeted by mum Debbie Ennis and stepdad James Ennis. They took him back to his flat on George Street in Manchester city centre, where he saw his partner Christian Orr, 23, for the first time since being sentenced. Banks was planning to spend Christmas at his mum’s home in Rugeley, Staffordshire.
But Banks, who is in his first year studying French at Manchester University and has five A-levels, is worried about his future now that he has a criminal record. He added: "It’s going to effect a lot of things. I need to make sure I can return to university and I know it will effect a lot of applications. I don't know how it's going to damage me.
"I know I’ve done something bad but I’m worried it could ruin the rest of my life. It’s all been a whirlwind and now I’m anxious what's going to happen," he said.
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Maybe now he will not show disregard for society and if this is a wake up call for him then good, as for him being gay, is he suggesting that he shouldn't be in prison? He broke the law and has to face the punishment.
This bloke has a criminal record and therefore by definition is a criminal. Why is he being treated like some mini-celebrity with a daily update on his 'ordeal', which incidently he brough upon himself?
Maybe he should have gone to watch a pantomime. This is what this story is turning into. OH YES IT IS!
Goodness gracious me. I shall phone the YOI and ask them to slap their wrists for making your stay not enjoyable. Also, leaving in the same clothes he had on when he arrived, he was only there for 4 days!
This lad and his parents want to thank their lucky stars. Contempt of court is a serious offence. If we all decided to take a day off for a jolly the criminal system would collapse. My advice to his mother is accept your son made a terrible error of judgement and stop trying to defend him, he commited a criminal offence, accept it.
what a muppet terrifying ordeal? locked up with a few kids lucky he did,nt get put in a proper nick with real criminals,
Now he is playing the "Gay" card! You only had six meals whilst you were in there,
I recond during the same time I had four. Why are they trying to turn a gutless law breaker into some form of celebrity. Return him to Forrest Bank and make him have a shower.
Mother needs a severe reality check.
If he is truly worried about how this will affect any future career then draw a line and disappear into the background. Going on tv and radio letting teh nation know what you have done isn't the smartest of moves. Now everybody knows about him and as an employer whould you trust anybody who 'throws a sickie' (ie lies) so as to be somewhere other than where he should be?
It isn't just about the criminal record but that he saw nothing wrong in lying to Court and then when is punished gets himslef all over that national press and tv saying it is unfair. It is serious stuff.
Hopefully he will move on but as an employer of somebody phoned in sick and they were spotted doing their Christmas shopping for example they would at the very least get a written warning but more likely would be sacked. If that employee then said 'oh I thought I might have just got a light verbal warning' I would be gobsmacked.
Let us think about the real victim in this case as well as the other jurors who lost a day because this fellow thought the theatre would be more interesting than a serious trial.
He is not a gutless law breaker at all and he did not deserve to be sent to prison how many drink driver will get a ban and a fine this Xmas ? how many ignorant people using mobile phones with a likelihood that they could kill someone whilst doing so will just get a fine and points on their license ? , he missed one day in court big deal , how many witnesses are pulling out of giving evidence because they are being intimidated do they get sent down ? , and no im not gay but to send him down and give if a criminal record that will affect his life is draconian and petty .
How sad, trying to play the gay card to get away with breaking the law. Next he'll be playing the poor white man race card. If I were his parents I wouldn't be standing by supporting him, I would be lashing him for being so stupid.
I've not stopped laughing since I first read about this clown. Thanks for making my Xmas.
Any suggestions as to exactly HOW he should have been punished?? Chinese burn? Doing the washing-up? Flower arranging? Sprout eating? Am I being too Draconian?
I hope that any potential employer in the future reads what this guy has done and will not consider employing this idiot.
Come on manchester Evening News..... you're milking this now.
Would be good to see his mum carry through the threat to appeal her sons conviction, and him being sent back inside because he was released too early. Becareful what you wish for Mr Ennis.
Here's an idea. Why not hire out one of the halls at your University and have a series of talks on the brutal, unjust criminal system is in England. Hey, why not go the whole hog and contact a script writer, Hollywood film producer and make a million out of your life story. Maybe entitled My time inside, that way you don't need to ever work again as your criminal record will no longer be a problem to finding a job.
Face the fact you broke the law as an adult now act like one and stop hiding like a mummys boy. Your fellow 19 year olds are living in much worse conditions in the army. Also you had 6 hot meals there are many on the strets and struggling who would love your 6 hot meals.
Grow a backbone and get out of the news.
You and your pushy mum have had your 15 minutes of fame. You're a criminal because of your own actions. Now get on with your life and stop trying to claim you've been harshly treated; if anything you've been very very lucky.
Stop giving this whining criminal publicity.
Being a juror is a serious matter, he clearly had no respect and was sent to prison for contempt.
End of story - well it should be.
If he was 79, you'd all be screaming blue murder that he was too old.
YES YOU WOULD.
University chances should not be effected. I pose the point of another young gay man who was jailed for credit card fraud. He later sorted his life out and went to Cambridge.
His name was Stephen Fry.
He would have been well aware of the consequences as all jurors are briefed on what is expected from them before and during their jury service. I find it incredulous that his mother went with him to this show when presumably she knew the inconvenience his absence would cause the court. Let's hope this lad has learnt his lesson.
Five A levels. Maybe the stories of exams getting easier are true after all, he seems about as bright as a 15W bulb.