A MAN who used abusive and threatening language towards a mother in the town centre has been fined almost £300.

Mark Strange, of Wickdown Avenue, Moredon admitted shouting at the woman in an incident near the Brunel Centre on June 7.

Swindon Magistrates Court heard Strange had caused the woman, who was with her two young children at the time, significant distress.

Prosecutor Keith Ballinger said the mother was left feeling upset and anxious after Strange shouted at her,

“She was walking through the Brunel Centre and had the children with her. She can hear someone shouting abuse and being verbally abusive behind her. She ignores it. She says the behaviour continues then she is aware the male appears to be following her,” he said, explaining he had sworn at her.

“She recognises the male. She walks away from him, he continues to follow her despite members of the public being upset by what he is saying.

“He steps up close to her face and said ‘I’ll get you for this'. Only at that point does he leave her alone.

“She wanted to go straight home because she didn’t feel safe anymore. He voluntarily went to the police station. He said he had seen her in the town centre and she had smirked at him which made him lose his temper. He did not initially follow her. He accepts that he was verbally abusive towards her.”

Defending Strange, Mark Glendenning said his client was deeply remorseful.

“This lady is related to his next door neighbour and there is an ongoing problem with the neighbour.. He accepts that he knows the lady. He believes she was looking at him. "He lost his temper. He regrets following her. He offers his apologies to her and her children.”

Chairman of the magistrates Jonathan Chappell said: “There is no excuse whatsoever about giving anybody any verbal abuse. You cannot treat people in this way.

“You will pay a fine of £150, a victim surcharge of £30 and a contribution to court costs of £85, making a total of £265. This will not go away. Hopefully you will know now not to abuse people in this way."