Miley Cyrus comes to defense of wanted VMAs date

Miley Cyrus has come to the defense of the homeless youth she took to the MTV Video Music Awards after it was revealed he is wanted by police in his native Oregon for a probation violation.

The Wrecking Ball hitmaker pretended Jesse Helt was her new boyfriend on the red carpet at the Los Angeles prizegiving on Sunday (24Aug14), but when it came time for her to give her acceptance speech for Video of the Year for Wrecking Ball, Helt took to the stage instead, with a speech to raise awareness about displaced youngsters across the U.S.

However, on Tuesday (26Aug14) it was revealed there is a warrant out for his arrest in Oregon relating to previous charges of criminal trespassing and criminal mischief, according to Eonline.com.

The 22 year old, who met Cyrus last week (ends22Aug14) at Hollywood shelter My Friend's Place, is accused of ignoring the terms of his probation on numerous occasions by failing to keep officials up-to-date on his whereabouts, failing to take a drug test, breaking his curfew and skipping out on his community service requirements, according to court documents.

But despite his criminal past being revealed, Cyrus is standing by her friend and is hoping to bring more awareness to the homeless in America.

She writes on Twitter.com, "People who are homeless have lived very hard lives. Jesse included. I hope that this can be the start of a national conversation about youth homelessness and how to end it. Does looking down upon the homeless help people excuse their inaction? The media never fails to disappoint. You've chosen to go after Jesse instead of covering the issue of youth homelessness. While they obsesses over one homeless mans legal issue let's help the other 1.6 million homeless youth."

Cyrus then shared a link to a fundraiser for My Friend's Place, in which fans who donate money to the cause can win a trip to Brazil for her concert in Rio de Janeiro on 28 September (14). The winner will meet Cyrus and get VIP treatment at the gig.