A man was arrested after shouting abuse at a Barclays bank manager, a Swindon court heard.

Kevin Wolton, 38, who is from Swindon but now lives in a hostel in Salisbury, appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening behaviour. 

He is currently subject to a crown court deferred sentence, with a judge ordering in November that Wolton stay out of trouble for six months – or risk a lengthy jail term for ABH, assault by beating and criminal damage.

On Thursday, JPs were told by prosecutor Emma Charleton that Wolton had gone into a branch of Barclays in Salisbury on Wednesday, January 13, with another man who was withdrawing cash.

He was said to have been agitated, walking in-and-out of the bank and wasn’t wearing his face mask properly. He was also ushered away from a staff only area by members of staff, who had already called the police. 

The bank manager approached Wolton and asked him to leave. He replied “I’m not f***ing leaving” and continued to swear and call her names. She was said to have been worried he would become physically aggressive towards her. 

Eventually, he left the bank and was arrested by the police outside a nearby bakery. 

Ms Charleton said Wolton, of Barnard Street, Salisbury, had 66 convictions on his record for 146 offences. He was subject to a conditional discharge for two matters of being drunk and disorderly.

Defending, Liz Highams said at the time of the incident her client had not been able to take his medication for two days, as he was being moved onto another prescription by doctors. He was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 

She said: “He’s a person who needs help, not to be sent to prison.” 

Magistrates imposed an eight week curfew, running daily between 1pm and midnight. He was ordered to pay £50 compensation and fined £80 for breaching the conditional discharge.