A MAN convicted of fraud after posing as his twin brother to steal money from elderly people has again appeared before magistrates in Worcester.

Jonathan Johns, of Bretforton Road, Honeybourne, near Evesham had not attended a number of drug tests and still had 58 hours of unpaid work to do after failing to attend a number of the unpaid work requirements for his fraud.

The 50-year-old has been on a suspended order for 12 months, with a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement (DRR), and 60 hours of unpaid work following his sentence in August for the three charges of fraud through false representation.

Probation officer Kirsty Smith told the court Johns had failed to tell his probation worker within the time limit of why he had not attended.

Mrs Smith said Johns said he was finding it difficult to get into the city from where he lived, and suffered from a bad back, and a letter proving this was received after the deadline.

Of the drug tests he had gone to, he had tested positive three times out of four for opiates and cocaine.

In mitigation, Nick Roberts said the back problem was longstanding as Johns had been in the building trade, and while it was a valid excuse, he added: “It’s Mr Johns’ fault for being tardy in supplying the information”.

Johns admitted the charge of failing to comply with the community requirements of a suspended sentence order.

Chair of magistrates Marianne Tunwell said she would spare Johns jail and extended his DRR by two months.