A ONE-MAN crimewave, described by a judge as a blight on the town, has escaped a jail sentence.

Swindon Magistrates' Court handed Brian Chubb a two-year community order and drug treatment order after hearing how he was determined to turn over a new leaf.

Police say the prolific sat nav thief, who is one of their 24 most prolific offenders, should be behind bars. As revealed in the Adver this week, the police have a list of the 24 worst offenders, all of whom are on drugs.

The 25-year-old, from Imber Walk, Penhill, pleaded guilty to two charges of handling stolen goods, dating back to February, and two thefts, one in April and one in May.

He also asked for 36 other offences to be taken into consideration, the majority of which were vehicle break-ins.

Prosecuting, Nicky Jennings said Chubb was caught on February 12 after a car had been broken into.

Police found he was carrying a sat nav system, car radios and tools. Some of the items came from a car that had been broken into that morning and the rest from another vehicle.

During police interview Chubb went through a list of car break-ins with the police and owned up to the ones he had done.

"Mr Chubb clearly wishes to clear up all of his matters and as a result of that has admitted a further 36," Miss Jennings said.

"The vast majority of these are made up of offences from motor vehicles."

Defending, Tony Nowogrodski said Chubb had been stealing to buy drugs.

"Brian Chubb is no stranger to the court," he said.

"You have seen his record. Normally he will say no comment' or lie through his teeth.

"But this time was a bit different because when I went down to deal with Mr Chubb he struck me as somebody who genuinely felt remorse for what happened.

"What he wanted to do was clear his slate. The reality of the situation was that he was sick and tired of having the police breathing down his neck and wanted to put his hands up and say enough is enough'.

"Mr Chubb presents as somebody who is very motivated. He has got a child, a girl aged seven, who he is not allowed to see until he is free of drugs so that is another motivation."

District Judge Simon Cooper told him: "You have been a blight on the areas of Blunsdon, Haydon Wick and Greenmeadow.

"You know people care for their cars and what is in them.

"What you stole was of high value and it's a dreadful business. You caused great inconvenience and expense to all of those who have suffered at your hands.

"You are in the grip of a dreadful addiction but you are at a stage where you now want to take control of your life."

Chubb was also put on a six-week curfew from 7pm until 7am and ordered to pay £646 in compensation to his victims and £54 court costs.