A Southampton man who found it difficult to talk to probation officers and open up in group sessions about personal issues, left court a free man.

Thomas Mackey, 41, had breached the terms of a supervision order by failing to keep probation appointments.

Defence barrister Richard Martin told Southampton Crown Court that Mackey was one of the “old school” who found it difficult to open up.

Recorder William Andreae- Jones QC ordered Mackey, of Goodwin Close, Millbrook, to do 200 hours unpaid work.