A MAN who threatened to burn down a doctors' surgery has appeared in court.

Lee Johnstone, 39, of Tennyson Road, came before magistrates sitting in Swindon on Tuesday having previously pleaded guilty to threatening to set fire to Tinkers Lane Surgery in Royal Wootton Bassett on May 12, when he also cut the back of his hand in front of a receptionist.

He had due to be sentenced, but when the magistrates heard a probation service report had not yet been prepared – and would not be until Thursday – they adjourned matters until June 21.

Johnstone was released on conditional bail not to contact the surgery save through a health representative.

....

A man who is accused of robbing four people in the railway village is to face trial by judge and jury.

Tyrone Whyte, 27, also denied threatening one of the alleged victims with a knife in Reading Street and possessing some cannabis.

Whyte, of Station Road, pleaded not guilty to all six charges, said to have taken place on Monday, December 28, when he appeared at Swindon Crown Court.

Judge Peter Blair QC adjourned the case to Tuesday, September 27, and released him on bail until then.

....

With fines of £340 for using her TV without a licence a woman currently behind bars has asked for the fines to be lodged.

But magistrates sitting in Swindon on Tuesday heard that 39-year-old Lisa Corner, formerly of Westminster Road, was due to be released from prison next month and refused to clear the debt.

She must appear before magistrates upon her release to request the matter be lodged.

....

A man owing money to the courts who is currently serving time behind bars has had his bill reduced.

Jake Morgan, 26, formerly of Chickerell Road, Park North owed the court £1,280 for driving offences, which also include a £100 crown court victim surcharge for a charge of causing grievous bodily harm.

Hearing that he had so far paid £100 towards the balance the magistrates lodged part of the bill, and reduced his bill to £1,030.

....

Facing court fines of more than £300 a man currently serving time behind bars has had some of his bill turned into custody time.

Gareth Parry, 41, formerly of High Street, Highworth, owes the court £370.99 which is partially made up of compensation to a shop. Magistrates sitting in Swindon cleared part of his bill but ordered he pay a £100 victim surcharge imposed by the crown court for a charge of causing grievous bodily harm.

....

Failing to attend his supervision appointments a man has been landed with a court fine.

Christopher Cannings, 27, admitted breaching his community order on April 12 and April 26 when he came before magistrates sitting in Swindon on Tuesday.

Cannings, currently of no fixed abode, but who previously provided a care-of address of Penhill Drive had been due to attend court to answer the charge on May 23 but he missed his day in court which led to a warrant being issued for his arrest. He surrendered himself to the court before being arrested.

His defence, Ben Worthington, explained he had since re-engaged with the probation service and had appointments booked in.

The magistrates imposed a fine of £40, which they reduced from £60 in light of his guilty plea. He must also pay £40 costs to the probation service and a £30 victim surcharge.

....

A man with £100 of fines owing to the courts has had his bill lodged.

Paul Bruce is currently behind bars and is not due for release until November of this year. The magistrates ordered the 33-year-old, formerly of Emlyn Square, serve five days in custody to clear the debt, which will run concurrently with his current sentence.