A 22-year-old Chippenham man was ordered to do 50 hours of unpaid work after attempting to steal a motorbike from a shed.

Brian Richard Paisey, from Moorlands, pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted burglary at North Wiltshire Magistrates’ Court on January 4.

The off-road motorbike was owned by Matthew Wilkins, of Westerleigh Close, who had posted on Facebook after purchasing the bike.

On August 8 at 12.45am he heard a noise outside and saw the defendant, who he was able to identify, trying to prise open the shed door.

When the police arrived they found there was damage to the lock, but the shed was still secure.

Defence solicitor Mr Moses said his client had fallen in with a bad crowd since he was kicked out of his family home. He said: “My client has always wanted to make some positive change in his life ever since this incident.

“He has got a steady girlfriend and he now has, for the first time in many years, a roof over his head. “There has been a break away from this group of people my client used to hang out with.

“My client is actively seeking work and appreciates the fact that he needs to move on and grow up.”

As well as ordering Paisey to do 50 hours of unpaid work within 12 months, magistrates gave him a community order, meaning he will be under supervision for nine months. He was also ordered to pay compensation of £50 and £85 towards court costs.