Drug user is to have some of his toes grafted onto his fingerless hand, court told

A DRUG user is about to have some of his toes grafted on to his fingerless left hand, a court heard this week.

Michael Jinks - who lost his fingers due to his drug addiction -- showed off his damaged hand as he stood in the witness box before Fenland magistrates.

"He was a drug addict, but now has a methadone prescription," said solicitor Roger Glazebrook.

"Because of the drugs he lost all the fingers and thumb on one hand, but he will undergo an operation on February 19 to put some toes on his fingers."

Jinks, 33, of Heronshaw, Chatteris, was one of five people brought into court because they owed outstanding fines, and during the day the court wiped off more than �2,000 that was outstanding from former defendants.

Slashing �461 off Jinks' fines, presiding magistrate Jane Melloy wished him well for his operation.

"I remember you coming to court and telling us about your hand; they would not touch you at Addenbrooke's Hospital until you got off drugs," she said.

"You have obviously made great strides and we are taking that into account, and the fact you are soon going into hospital."

When Jinks came into court he owed �761 for offences of assault, theft, and motoring charges. He was ordered to repay the remaining �300 at �5 a week.

*Amanda Reeder, 28, of West Parade, Wisbech, had �510 remitted from her fines account, and she was ordered to pay the remaining �314 at �5 a week. James Sallis, 35, of Prospect Place, Wisbech, was ordered to spend a morning in court to wipe out fines of �404; and Salim Jusab, 21, of Black Bear Lane, Wisbech, had �793 wiped off his court bill and was told he must pay the remaining �900 at �75 a month or go to jail for 28 days. Magistrates remitted �100 from 60-year-old Sheila Dixon's court bill, and the pensioner, of Kinderley Road, Wisbech, was told to pay the remaining �204 at �10 a week.