MAGISTRATES put their faith in the Trisha Goddard TV show this week – and agreed that chronic alcoholic Ricky Noonan should appear on the programme in a bid to straighten himself out. Noonan was on the brink of going to jail on Tuesday, when his brother p

MAGISTRATES put their faith in the Trisha Goddard TV show this week - and agreed that chronic alcoholic Ricky Noonan should appear on the programme in a bid to straighten himself out.

Noonan was on the brink of going to jail on Tuesday, when his brother pleaded with the court to hold off sentencing, so the family can meet programme researchers from Trisha's Channel 5 chat show.

Andrew Denney - a reformed drug user -- told Fenland magistrates: "I have had a call from the producer, and it's all arranged for tomorrow.

"This is a last chance for Ricky, they are talking about putting him in to rehab, and they need to talk to him.

"Ricky is a bit of a mess, I want to go down there to find out what can be done. It's all on a plate for him, and he wants help."

Noonan, 40, of Grounds Avenue, March, admitted breaching his community order, which includes alcohol treatment and supervision, by behaving in an unacceptable manner at the probation office on April 21.

Solicitor Ben Pearson told the court: "Three weeks ago his brother Andrew went on the internet and made contact with the Trisha Goddard Show. She wants to hear from people with complicated family histories, and they offer help, following the programme.

"I have spoken to her senior researcher, they can be taken to the studio, and a programme made tomorrow."

After the programme is made, he said, a counsellor will speak to the family and pay for three counselling sessions.

Standing in the witness box, Andrew Denney said he had been in and out of prison for 24 years, but is now drug free and wants to help his brother.

"I care about my brother a lot, but Ricky is in denial," he said. "I am putting myself out to help him, but if this doesn't work, he is on his own."

Asking the court to adjourn the case, solicitor Mr Pearson added: "If he receives a custodial sentence, he will return to his address on his release, and his problems will be the same.

"I am asking the court to hold fire just to see in the very short term, if anything will result from this, his brother has put him in contact with the programme makers."

The magistrates adjourned the case for eight days - but warned Noonan that he could be jailed if nothing has changed by them.

Giving his reaction outside the courthouse, Noonan said: "I am pleased to have this chance; I will do anything to get myself sorted out.