A former jockey has come a cropper after failing the last hurdle... thanks to a refusal from a judge.

David Dixon-Armstrong, 62, asked a judge for one more chance to keep his freedom as he battled his alcohol problem.

He had been living in a youth shelter in Churchfield Way, Wye – which was plastered with pictures of race horses.

Now Armstrong – described by his barrister as a "fallen jockey" – has a new home... a prison cell, after he admitted failing to keep an appointment with probation officers.

Canterbury Crown Court heard he failed to comply with a community order that also put him in breach of two suspended prison sentences for assaulting a police officer and using threatening words or behaviour.

Armstrong, pictured above, claimed he was on his way to the appointment when his driver decided to call into a cafe for breakfast.

Piers Restell, defending, said the car taking him to meet probation officers then broke down.

He added the "fallen jockey" had now stopped drinking and asked for another chance to stay out of prison.

But Judge Adele Williams told him: "I made it abundantly clear before that that was your last chance – and maybe a period in prison can motivate you."

Armstrong had turned the shelter – designed as a meeting point for youngsters – into a makeshift home.

He moved pot plants and a book shelf into the shelter – upsetting some of the locals near the parish church in Wye.

David Dixon-Armstrong moved into the youth shelter in Wye

Armstrong, who also worked as a cabbie and at local stables, lived in Chilham and Ashdown Court, Ashford, before taking over the shelter.

He was described by local vicar, the Rev Ravi Holy, as "a very nice chap" – and the court heard a church warden had offered him a place to stay.

But Judge Williams retorted: "I wouldn’t want to inflict you on their generosity."

She added that Armstrong – who has since abandoned his makeshift home – had repeatedly failed to accept help offered to beat his addiction.

Armstrong was jailed for nine months after he admitted the breach of court order – and being in breach of two suspended sentences.

Council officials have since cleared the shelter and disinfected it.

David Dixon-Armstrong made himself at home in the youth shelter

A spokesman from Wye with Hinxhill Parish Council, which leases the land on which the shelter was built, said Armstrong had caused "a great deal of trouble, damage, and distress".

He added: "Residents and shopkeepers have called the police and fire service out several times to deal with fires and other incidents.

"The parish council understands that last week the homelessness charity Porchlight offered him free board, lodging and professional support.

"However, the man appears to have refused Porchlight's offer of help, so as a last resort it has become a matter for the police.

"Fortunately, the oak structure is undamaged and young people can use it again as their meeting place."