A PROLIFIC thief with nearly 100 previous convictions against his name has been jailed for his latest offences.

Gareth Fanning, 31, of Milverton Court, appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Monday charged with stealing games to the value of £54.50 from Warhammer in the Brunel Centre on Sunday.

He also faced a charge of damaging the police cell he was detained in after being arrested – with the damage costing £30.

Fanning pleaded guilty to both charges.

Crown prosecutor Keith Ballinger told the court a member of staff at Warhammer recognised one of the people in the store which aroused his suspicions.

He said: “When Fanning was arrested and told he would be kept in custody he decided to damage his cell.”

Defending Fanning was Mark Glendenning who said his client apologised for the outburst at the police station and said: “At the time of the offence, my client was attending CGL who deal with drug misuse.

“This offence was committed out of desperation and he would like some more formal help with his drug habit.”

Chairman of the bench Diana Crockett told Fanning: “We feel that until you show a real willingness to get off drugs, we are not inclined to offer you a further DRR. [Drug Rehabilitation Requirement].

“Instead we are going to send you to prison for 12 weeks, which will be reduced to eight.”

He must also pay £30 compensation.

An earlier hearing heard that Fanning was introduced to a life of crime as a child by his father who would take him on burglaries with him as it was easier for him to climb in through windows due to his size.