COURT: A man who admitted assaulting his partner and setting fire to her clothing has avoided jail.

Haydn Andrews, 25, of Deacon Street, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and a criminal damage charge.

Magistrates sentenced him to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for two years, because he had previous convictions for domestic abuse. He must also do 240 hours’ unpaid work and attend 29 days of relationship training. Andrews was ordered to pay costs of £85 and a £115 victim surcharge.

COURT: Trying to steal more than £370 of groceries from Tesco earned a Swindon man a spell on an electronic tag.

Thomas Hanratty, 28, of Westcott Place, pleaded guilty to the attempted theft from the Tesco supermarket on Ocotal Way. Magistrates told him to complete 80 hours of unpaid work, a six-week curfew and pay £165 compensation with £85 towards victim services.

COURT: Dale Mooney, 59, of Brockworth, Gloucestershire, is to face trial accused of attacking a relation in Swindon on August 6. He denies the allegation. The town’s magistrates remanded him on bail for the trial on November 15.

Curfew for thief

COURT: A burglar who pinched women’s clothing worth £15 was give a six-week curfew, by magistrates.

John Stares, 37, of Cranmore Avenue, admitted theft from a house in Buckingham Road on May 22. He must pay £15 compensation and £85 costs.