CHANGES to the probation service have delayed justice for a defendant as well as for those who suffered from his crimes, York magistrates heard.

Shaun Mark Edward Rayner, 25, of Lindsey Avenue, Acomb, was due to be sentenced for assault and charges of vandalising two cars and a house.

The case had been adjourned from November 10.

This was so that a probation officer could prepare a report on him.

But when Rayner returned to court to learn his punishment there was no report ready.

York magistrates were told that the officer who had originally been assigned to write the probation report on Rayner had fallen ill.

Because of the reduction in staff allocated to write reports as part of the privatisation of much of the probation service, there was no-one else available to take over, the York magistrates heard.

Magistrates adjourned the case again for the report to be written.

Rayner will now be sentenced on December 17.

He was released on bail.