Hostel row over crack user (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Hostel row over crack user

2:00pm Monday 8th September 2008 in

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A MAN was ordered to leave a hostel for the homeless because he objected to sharing a room with a crack cocaine user.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Jacob Booth’s room-mate was using in the room at Nightsafe on Bridge Street.

But when he complained staff responded by asking both men to leave.

Booth, 19, of Bonsall Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly.

He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £50 costs.

Wendy Barlow, prosecuting, police were called by hostel staff after an incident involving two residents.

One left but Booth, who had clearly been drinking, became argumentative and started shouting and swearing.

She said the incident occurred on the same day as Booth had appeared before Blackburn magistrates and been fined for another offence of being drunk and disorderly.

Deborah Morgan, defen-ding, said Booth had found himself homeless and lost his job as a result.

“He was offered accommodation at the Nightsafe unit room sharing with another man,” said Miss Morgan.

“He took exception to the fact the other man was using crack cocaine in the room.

He remonstrated with staff and found himself on the street as a result and his behaviour was born out of frustration.”