AN ALCOHOLIC who has plagued the streets of Swindon with his drunk and disorderly antics was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison yesterday.

Joseph McLaughlin, 27, who was living in a tent in Coate Water Country Park, appeared at North West Wiltshire Magistrates’ Court in Chippenham and was sent down for his repeated offences and having a bladed article in a public place by District Judge Simon Cooper.

He was also banned from drinking alcohol in the Swindon borough as well as not being allowed to enter a licensed premises too under section four of the public order act and the criminal behaviour order act.

Prosecutor James Burnham said how McLaughlin was found drunk and disorderly in a public place on several occasions, June 25, in Havelock Street, July 7, Regent Street, and July 11, in the town centre, and July 21 in Davis Place – each time he was arrested.

Police detained McLaughlin after he was seen on the roof at the Brunel Shopping Centre on July 21, after he came down of his own accord.

He continued that last Saturday he was found with a Stanley knife outside Poundland, in Edgeware Road, threatening staff, with the knife on his lap and paracetamol tablets littered around him in an apparent overdose attempt.

“Mr McLaughlin said at the time, ‘You better not call the police. Put the f****** phone down or I will f****** do you,” recounted Mr Burnham.

When the ambulance services arrived he asked for five-day detox course, which was refused.

His defence Mark Glendenning, said: “Mr McLaughlin has developed a very severe alcohol problem for some months now and that is preventing him from moving forward, dealing with accommodation issues.

“Alcohol can become a disease very quickly and that has happened here very very quickly. He has effectively been homeless since January, staying at friends, formed attachments and relationships to get a brief respite.

“He is intelligent when sober. The blade is the most serious of the matters. It was there for self-harm.”

In the court, McLaughlin, who was too drunk to appear at a hearing in Swindon on Wednesday, said: “I was not given enough time on my rehab. I was never given the chance to do the alcohol treatment programme and today was my chance.”

District Judge Cooper said: “You have pleaded guilty and I give you full credit for that but you are a very unpleasant and dangerous person when you are drunk.

“There is a risk of harm to yourself. Emotional and possible harm to the public. You have had the chance for rehab for two years but you continue to drink.”

His victim surcharge was £115.