A 41-year-old man must pay more than £100 for several charges of being drunk and disorderly in public over the past month.

Robert Roberts from Whitworth Road pleaded guilty to the four offences when he appeared in Swindon Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

His first offence was on July 20 in Manton Street, then he was abusive and threatening to staff outside Swindon Borough Council’s Civic Offices on Beckhampton Street on July 21, and was abusive to residents in the car park outside Fosseway Court in Swindon after police officers woke him up when they found him sleeping on the ground.

On Sunday, police were called to a disorder in Fleet Street at 2.15pm and though Roberts was not the reason for the call, he was uncooperative and intoxicated when asked to move by officers.

Of the first incident, prosecutor Pauline Lambert said: “He was swearing and refused to leave the location, he was belligerent and argumentative.

“Elderly residents said they were fearful of him.”

His defence, Ben Worthington, explained that Roberts was currently homeless and had mental health difficulties.

Mr Worthington added: “He drinks to make himself feel better and he has tried to deal with his issues. “He’s tried to get accommodation but it’s been a struggle because he’s not a priority.”

Chairman of the bench Christine Smith ordered him to pay £40 in compensation for his first offence, plus £35 in costs and £30 for victims’ services.

The money will be deducted from his benefits and no separate penalty was awarded for his other three offences.

Mrs Smith advised: “If you are going to keep being a nuisance to the public, you will keep being arrested.

“If you’re going to keep drinking, please do it in a less public place.”

Roberts protested: “I wasn’t being a nuisance.”