An asylum seeker who went on the run from the Bibby Stockholm barge has been avoided a prison sentence after being convicted of his second drug offence.
Kenson Noel, 30, came to the UK after fleeing gangs in Trinidad and Tobago.
He was sent to live on the migrant barge in Portland, Dorset, in May last year but when he arrived he was found to have 6.5g of cannabis on him – as well as a set of scales, bags and £800 in cash.
As he was put in handcuffs, he bit a Portland Port police officer on the elbow.
Noel was later convicted of possessing cannabis but failed to turn up at his sentencing hearing and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
He was eventually dealt with by way of a community service order, but went on to breach that when he failed to turn up for it.
Noel, who is now living at a migrant hotel in Bournemouth, has been back in court after being found in possession of cannabis at the seaside town on June 5.
He admitted the offence at Poole Magistrates’ Court in Dorset.
Kenson Noel, 30, pictured leaving Poole Magistrates’ Court, came to the UK after fleeing gangs in Trinidad and Tobago – he is been convicted of his second drugs offence
He had been sent to live on the migrant barge Bibby Stockholm (pictured) in Portland , Dorset
Charles Nightingale, prosecuting, said: ‘Police were dealing with something separate and the defendant was present at the scene.
‘This led to him being spoken to and then arrested.
‘During the arrest they found a small quantity of cannabis, entirely consistent with personal use.’
Megan McGhee, defending, said: ‘He is an asylum seeker, from Trinidad and Tobago. He gets £8.50 a week and provided with food.
‘He is hoping to make an application to begin work but he has very limited means. I’m hoping his time in custody could be taken into account.’
District Judge Orla Austin said it was pointless fining Noel as it would cost the system more money to enforce the fine than be able to recover from him.
She told him: ‘You receive £8 per week, given that it seems to me there is no point fining you as you lack the means to pay.’
She gave Noel a 12-month conditional discharge.
The accommodation barge Bibby Stockholm (pictured) arrived in Portland Port in July 2023
Tugboats are seen manoeuvring the Bibby Stockholm barge from Portland on January 30 this year, as its time on the Dorset coast ended before travelling elsewhere
She added: ‘It seems more money would be spent on enforcing it than could be recovered.’
The controversial Bibby Stockholm barge closed last November after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the facility would close following Labour’s general election win just over a year ago.
The accommodation barge had arrived in Portland Port in July 2023 and housed up to 500 migrants while their cases for asylum are dealt with by officials.
The barge sailed out of Portland Harbour for the final time in January this year after the contract expired and has since left the UK.
