HOMELESS? GO TO JAIL

A HOMELESS asylum-seeker was sent to Barlinnie Prison after asking for a place to live.

Iranian Amin Zahide, 30, was arrested and charged with breach of the peace after a row with staff at a homeless centre in Glasgow.

But when he appeared in court at a cost of thousands of pounds, he was refused bail and sent to jail after it was discovered he was homeless.

Last night politicians were questioning how a man could be refused a place to live in a city where hundreds of homes lie empty. Scottish Socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan said: "It's inhumane - we're a land losing population, yet we force young men like Amin to become destitute and effectively criminals for seeking a roof."

Amin's ordeal began just over two weeks ago when he arrived at the Hamish Allan homeless centre in Glasgow seeking a bed for the night. Amin, who doesn't speak much English and is waiting to return to his home in southern Iran, became embroiled in a row with staff after his pleas for a bed were dismissed.

Police were called and he was charged with breach of the peace and taken into custody. The terrified Iranian pleaded not guilty but was held overnight to allow experts to carry out a psychiatric assessment.

He appeared in court again the next day and a trial date was set for February 17. But instead of freeing him on bail the court decided to lock him up until his next appearance.

Court officials ruled that, as he was homeless, he must remain in custody. He was then marched off to Glasgow's Barlinnie to await trial.

But his court-appointed lawyer Stephen Dryden won an earlier court date for last week, and Sheriff Daniel Convery took just two minutes to set Amin free.

Last night Amin spoke of his delight at being freed, but added: "Is it a crime to plead for a bed?"

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