ARRESTED for stealing tubs of washing tablets from Co-op, a man with 66 previous court appearances on his record found himself back in police custody again after he missed his day in court to answer the charge.

Martin Morgan, 31, of Fairholme Way, appeared in the dock before magistrates in Swindon on Friday morning after a warrant was issued for his arrest for failing to come to court on July 6.

The court heard from crown prosecutor James Burnham that Morgan had been seen on CCTV leaving the store in Beechcroft Avenue with five tubs of Ariel gel tablets having made no effort to pay.

The defendant denied it was five tubs, saying it was actually four.

His defence, Gordon Hotson, told the bench that his client admitted stealing four tubs and fully accepted he didn’t have any money on him at the time to buy the products.

“They were used for domestic, personal use and not to be sold on for other benefits,” he said.

“There is a pattern in his record that shows in years gone by he was before this court many, many times. But in 2014 there were only two appearances. In 2015 there was just the one. And now in 2016 this is his first appearance before the court. There has been a pattern of improving behaviour.

"He has tried very hard and intended to keep himself out of trouble and away from that previous pattern of offending behaviour.

“He forgot that he should have been at court for the hearing – he has always been very good at attending court.”

Sentencing him, Gray Gilbert told him: “Whilst we accept the fact that your record is better over the last two or three years that is all we can say for it – it is better. It is still not good.

"You seem to have an inability to comply with court orders. When the court gives an order it is giving an order it is not for you to decide if you comply with it or not.”

He imposed a 12-month community order during which Morgan must complete 80 hour of unpaid work and pay £20 compensation to the Co-op for the stolen washing tablets. He was further ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £85.