A JUDGE concerned over the plight of a homeless man released him from jail when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court.

Michael McCormack had been sleeping in the doorways of blocks of flats in Hurcott Road, Kidderminster, upsetting residents by his anti-social behaviour.

Mr Andrew Maguire, for Wyre Forest Community Housing Association, said the 55-year-old had also been swearing, defecating and urinating in the stairways.

He was under a court injunction made to restrain him from committing the nuisance but it was breached twice.

Instead, a 28-day suspended prison sentence had been imposed at the court a week ago.

McCormack, who was not represented but admitted the breaches, said he had spent the last seven days at Blakenhurst prison, near Redditch, because he had no money and nowhere to go.

Judge Bruce Coles said the country was in a sorry state when someone was brought to court for sleeping rough in a doorway.

Mr Maguire, however, said McCormack had been evicted as a tenant. The housing association was not prepared to have him back.

He added: "The association is loth to come to court. It costs money but the concern is for the other tenants."

A probation liaison officer said neither his service nor social services was able to offer immediate accommodation.

McCormack told the court that he could go to his son in Old Hill but the judge said he would try to arrange a bed at a Salvation Army hostel.

He activated the suspended sentence but ordered McCormack to be released from prison immediately now that he had spent a week in jail.