Rodbourne resident Paul Hillier has been jailed for repeatedly breaching an anti-social behaviour injunction banning him from parts of the town centre and drinking in public.
The 51-year-old, of Groves Street, Rodbourne, was convicted earlier this week and sentenced to 41 weeks in prison after failing to appear at Swindon County Court.
Due to his absence at court, a warrant was issued for his arrest and he has now arrested by Wiltshire Police and remanded in custody for his sentence to be imposed.
He had previously been handed an anti-social behaviour injunction following a successful application by Swindon Borough Council, to take action against street drinking and anti-social behaviour in the town centre.
The court was told that Hillier had repeatedly breached the injunction over recent weeks, and he has now received a criminal conviction.
PC Paul Bezzant, Community Co-ordinator for Swindon town centre, welcomed the sentence.
He said: “This case is a fantastic example of partnership working between the local authority and the police, who have worked hard to tackle the issues of anti-social behaviour in the town centre.
“This is a substantial sentence and we hope it sends a clear message that we will use the enforcement powers available to us to act swiftly and combat problems.”
Councillor Cathy Martyn, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing and public safety, said: “It’s important that residents and visitors to Swindon all feel that our town centre is safe and welcoming.
“As this case shows, Swindon Borough Council works closely with Wiltshire Police to tackle any criminal behaviour, including anti-social behaviour.
“People’s safety is one of our priorities and I welcome the judgement and sentence in this case.”
