A MAN charged with sexual offences has asked to go to jail because he could not find accommodation in Bendigo.
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The man - who can not be named due to legal reasons - successfully applied to have his bail revoked and was taken into custody on Tuesday.
He told the Bendigo Magistrates' Court he was unable to comply with his bail conditions and had nowhere else to go.
"I'm effectively homeless, jobless and unable to take advantage of any social services," he said.
"Rather than breaching bail I want to be taken into custody. I don't want to risk offending and hurting others."
Magistrate David Faram said it was a "very unusual" request.
The court heard the man has been living on the street after moving between a number of social welfare houses. He was due to move into a flat in Eaglehawk two weeks ago but the neighbouring property was leased to a single mother and a child - which would have put him in breach of his bail conditions.
"I find myself out of options," he said.
"I'm a single male with strict bail conditions. I'm at the bottom of the pile for public housing (waiting lists).
"I'm more likely to win the lottery than actually get housing."
The court heard there were no public housing options available in Bendigo.
Prosecuting, Leading Senior Constable Denis Farrell said inquiries made to Haven Home Safe confirmed there were no vacancies at the moment, even for emergency accommodation.
Police filed an application to have the man's bail revoked, which was granted.
The man was handcuffed and led away with police carrying his bag and guitar he brought with him to court.
The man will face sexual offence charges in court at a later date.