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A homeless man who has lived in care homes from the age of seven turned up to court a day early begging to be sent to prison.

Bradley Grimes' social worker said the 22-year-old's case was a sad one, but told the court "at least in prison he will wake up on his birthday somewhere warm".

The youngster was taken into care as a child, diagnosed as Autistic, and was found to have a brain tumour brought on by years of neglect, Teesside Crown Court was told.

He spent six months bedding down in shop doorways in Middlesbrough town centre, Gazette Live reports.

Grimes, who will turn 23 years old on Monday, will spend his birthday behind bars after admitting being in breach of a four month suspended jail sentence for flouting Anti Social Behaviour Orders imposed because of his lifestyle.

(Image: Evening Gazette)

A social worker who knows him well said in court on Friday: "His is a very sad case, but there is no easy solution.

"At least in prison he will wake up on his birthday somewhere warm and he will be fed."

The Recorder of Middlesbrough Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC said that he would take a personal interest in Grimes’s future.

A court liaison probation officer told the judge: "We have been trying our best to help him but whether he will accept I don’t know.

"The fact that he has been on the radar has been underlined by his appearance here today."

The judge observed: "If I give him a short sentence he will be out again, back as before."

(Image: Evening Gazette)

Prosecutor Jenny Haigh told Teesside Crown Court that Grimes had been committed for sentence by Teesside Magistrates for repeated breaches of ASBOs and Criminal Behaviour Orders.

Bradley arrived at court a day early hoping to be sentenced.

Aisha Wadoodi, defending, told the judge: "He is currently homeless and has asked me for the suspended sentence to be activated.

"The only reason he is asking for that is that he finds himself in an impossible situation in that he has no home.

"He has been in care homes since he was seven and he has fallen through the care system.

"The suspended sentence is for a knife offence, and two breaches of ASBO - he has been sleeping in doorways of shops."

Grimes turned up with three heavy bags of belongings which he handed to a woman security guard.

The judge adjourned his case until October 9 and remanded Grimes in custody.

Judge Bourne-Arton QC asked for an updated addition to Grimes’s pre-sentence report.