AN alcoholic who has been causing trouble in Wichelstowe has been banned from much of the area for two years.

Paul Malcolm had the exclusion order imposed on him when he appeared before a court for harassment, theft and a drugs offence.

Sovereign Housing Association, backed up by the police, council and primary school, have succeeded in getting him barred from entering large parts of the area.

The 44-year-old has been told he may go back to his former home on Stannon Lane on one occasion with a housing association officer to collect his belongings.

And he is then barred from going to an area around that road and also near the East Wichel Primary School.

Nick Barr, prosecuting, told Swindon Magistrates' Court: “In essence: it is the behaviour, and threatening behaviour, of this gentleman in the Wichelstowe area. He at one time lived there.

"He goes there and quite frankly his behaviour is such it makes everyone’s life a misery there.”

The court heard he was no longer the leaseholder at the house and had been ‘trespassing’ at the property.

Malcolm was appearing for sentence after admitting harassing a woman at the end of August and start of this month.

He accepted going to the woman’s address on five occasions and banging loudly on her door.

And he also admitted twice stealing bottles of whisky and a ready meal from the Old Town Co-op and also possessing a small amount of cannabis.

Richard Williams, defending, said: “If you forgive the pun, I have had a heart to heart with Mr Malcolm and he realises he is in the last chance saloon.

“He realises he has a serious problem with alcohol and he knows he needs help.”

The court was told that he had a serious drink problem as well as issues with his ex-partner.

A probation officer told the court his issues were so bad that he was not suitable for unpaid work, because of his drinking, or a curfew as his dependency is so bad that not having alcohol in the house could pose a threat to his health.

He said the alcohol and drugs treatment service have been trying to help him get into a state where he can detoxify.

District Judge Anthony Callaway said: “I want you to be quite clear what I am about to say.

“With regard to the harassment and the other offences you have committed you are going to go to prison for four months and I am going to suspend that sentence for 12 months.

“You are not going to prison today. Get yourself sorted out.

“I am having no more trouble from you and no one else is having any more trouble: you have been a thorough nuisance. I am not mucking about with you or anyone else.”

He said he must complete 12 days of alcohol treatment requirement, 20 of rehabilitation activity requirement and abide by the exclusion order.