A MAN who tried to make off with a hoodie from TK Maxx was recognised by a security guard he used to go to school with.

Tudor Walk resident Kevin McGregor, 36, pleaded guilty to one charge of theft when he appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard from crown prosecutor Nick Barr that McGregor had gone into TK Maxx at around 3.45pm on August 4 with a woman when he was spotted by the store’s security guard who recognised him from their school days.

He monitored the pair on CCTV and saw McGregor go to a rack of sweatshirts. He took off his own black Adidas jacket and put on a black hoodie.

McGregor then walked towards the exit without paying. After collecting a dog that had been tied up from outside he then fled – with the security guard following him, demanding he return the hoodie.

During the pursuit McGregor took off the hoodie and threw it down and continued running. He was later arrested and gave a no comment interview.

In court, after admitting the theft he apologised to the magistrates.

Chairman of the bench Jonathan Chappell fined him £85 and ordered he pay the costs of the Crown Prosecution service totalling £85 along with a victim surcharge of £30. This will be consolidated with outstanding court fines of £925, which are currently being deducted from his benefits.

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Damaging the custody desk at Gablecross Police Station has seen a man landed with a bill of £170.

Alexander Bennett, 28, pleaded guilty to damaging the property of Wiltshire Police on August 1 when he came before magistrates in Swindon.

The court heard that Bennett, of Shakespeare Road, Royal Wootton Bassett, committed the offence while subject to an 18-month conditional discharge imposed less than a month earlier by magistrates in Weymouth.

Magistrates in Swindon imposed a 12-month community order on him, during which he must complete 80 hours of unpaid work.

He was further ordered to pay Crown Prosecution Service costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £85.

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A teenager has been told he faces jail if he commits another offence after he was found with a blade.

Johnny Farley, 19, of The Bungalows, pleaded guilty to having the bladed article on him on High Street on Sunday, July 31.

The magistrates told him they had no option but to impose a custodial sentence as the offence was committed whilst Farley was subject to two community orders.

They told him he faced a jail sentence of 10 weeks, which they suspended for 12 months.

He must also pay a victim surcharge of £115 and Crown Prosecution Service costs of £85.

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A man has been ordered to carry out unpaid work after he stole a motorcycle.

Jamie Bullen, 23, of Downton Road, Penhill, pleaded guilty to stealing the F-reg motorcycle, worth £1,500, from Hudson Way on April 9.

Magistrates ordered that he carry out 80 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months and that he pay the complainant £15 compensation.

He must also pay £85 towards the costs of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

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After failing to tell the council and the DWP he was working while claiming benefits a man was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Steven Brown of Rye Close, Middleaze pleaded guilty to failing to notify Swindon Borough Council and the Department of Work and Pensions there

was an increase in his income between November 18, 2011, and July 26, 2015.

The magistrates imposed a 12-month community order on the 27-year-old, ordering him to pay CPS costs of £85 and a £60 victim surcharge.

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A driver was fined after he took his car off road without permission.

Stephen Partridge, aged 60, of Bevan Close pleaded guilty to driving on land at Wheeler Avenue on May 10.

He also pleaded guilty to using abusive language or behaviour.

The bench fined him £40 for each offence and ordered he pay a contribution towards CPS costs of £40 and a £30 victim surcharge.