TWO street drinkers found themselves before the court after allegedly breaching injunctions banning them from town centre hotspots.

Luke King and Thomas Fox are both banned from carrying alcohol in the town centre, acting aggressively anywhere in Swindon, and entering the bus station, Wharf Green, Havelock Square and Theatre Square.

But, King 34, allegedly walked through the bus station and carried a can of booze in the town centre on April 7 before swearing at officers while being arrested, then returned on April 29 and swore at PC Paul Bezzant.

And Fox, 50, allegedly carried a can of booze through Havelock Square on April 14 and shouted four-letter abuse at a security guard, then returned to the square four days later and drank from another can of booze.

District Judge Peter Hatvany questioned why King had arrived at Swindon County and Crown Court an hour and a half late to his hearing. Luke replied: “I’m ever so sorry, I’m on strong medication, my sleep patterns are off, I’ve lost my bus pass and I cycled over as fast as I could.”

The court heard that Luke had tried to arrange for a solicitor to represent him before his next court appearance but his attempts to do so had failed so he had to represent himself.

The judge adjourned his case to give him more time to find legal representation after hearing what he hoped was genuine remorse from the defendant.

Luke said: “I’m willing to comply with all this. I know I’ve breached some things but not intentionally.

"I’m trying to isolate myself from bad people. I know PC Bezzant was only trying to do his job.

"I make silly decisions sometimes but I’m trying to change that and it doesn’t happen overnight. I contacted a solicitor through my probation officer and they said they would call back but they never did, I honestly have tried but they haven’t responded.”

Judge Hatvany also agreed to adjourn Thomas Fox’s case to refer him to a psychiatric service and complete a report from a psychiatrist which would help them determine whether he has the mental capacity to understand and comply with the conditions of his order.

The cases of both King and Fox have been adjourned to July 10 and they have been remanded on bail.

Swindon Borough Councillor solicitor Francis Maples said: “This court date applies as long as they comply with the injunction. It seems inevitable that if they did not comply, further action will be taken because the council and police wish to secure complicity with these injunctions which have been put in place in order to protect the public from the nuisance of street drinking in the town centre.”

The pair are part of a group of habitual street drinkers. Swindon Borough Council brought the court order with support from Wiltshire Police.