THIS is the face of the homeless Taunton man jailed for 20 weeks for sitting on the ground "without reasonable excuse", a move which has been branded "complete madness".

A report of the sentence meted out to Haydon Mark Baker at Taunton Magistrates' Court went viral on social media after it was revealed exclusively on this website this week.

The court heard that Baker, 33, who was living at Arc's Lindley House homeless hostel at the time, was seen sitting on the pavement in three town centre locations.

He pleaded guilty to three similar charges relating to incidents outside Greggs in North Street, tReds and McDonald's, both in East Street, between April 28 and May 5.

He was banned from doing so by a Criminal Behaviour Order, imposed under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

He was jailed for 20 weeks (concurrent) on each count and also ordered to pay a £115 victim surcharge. There was no order for costs due to lack of means.

The court heard there was considered to be a high risk that he could be seen to be begging and his actions were the latest in a line of deliberate breaches of the order.

READ MORE: Homeless man jailed for 20 weeks for sitting on the ground 'without reasonable excuse'

Baker, who has mental health issues, has made a string of court appearances.

Last October, he was jailed for 30 weeks for breaching the Criminal Behaviour Order 11 times by sitting on the ground in the town.

He also has convictions for begging.

And in February, he was ordered to pay £100 compensation to a nursing assistant he assaulted.

His latest sentence has caused outrage with lawyer, journalist and film maker Peter Stefanovic tweeting: "This is complete madness. 

"Jailing the most vulnerable members of our society for being homeless, for having nothing of their own, is simply the most cruel and stupid thing anyone could do."

A rough sleeper regularly seen sitting outside Taunton Station, who gave his name as Phil, said: "He's got mental health issues and needs help.

"It's crazy locking him up for that. It's no good to keep sending him to prison - it's not like he's running into shops and nicking stuff."

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman declined to comment.

However, Taunton-based Chief Inspector Lisa Simpson said at a meeting earlier this year that "locking them (repeat offenders) up for a few months" has a minor impact on their behaviour.

She added: "We need to work out why these things are happening.

"When it comes back to drugs, alcohol and mental health, we should be at the end of the process of resolving."

She added: "From years of police experience, arresting them does not stop their behaviour."

ARC and Somerset West and Taunton Council also declined to comment.