A THIEF who broke into five cars was told “something needs to change”.

Michael McDonagh, who has 67 previous theft offences on his record, was given a six month prison sentence suspended for two years after he admitted possession of a knife, vehicle interference, fraud by false representation, handling stolen goods and theft.

Prosecutor Kate Prince told Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Saturday morning that 42-year-old McDonagh was seen breaking into a parked Honda Jazz, Renault Scenic and a BMW on March 4 and an Audi Q3 on February 28.

When he was arrested on March 4, he was in possession of a pair of leather gloves stolen from a woman’s car, which had been parked in Whitworth Road.

The court heard McDonagh had tried to buy £37.62-worth of scratch cards and cigarettes from the Esso Garage in Kingshill on March 2 using a stolen bank card, although the transaction was refused.

Police found a multi-tool with a locking blade on him when he was arrested on Thursday.

A charge of attempting to steal "unknown items of a value unknown belonging to an unknown person" was withdrawn by the prosecution.

Defending, Marjorie Jackson said her client had “gone off the rails” because he’d been drinking but said he was trying to “sort out his life”. He had accommodation and was engaging well with his probation order.

Sentencing McDonagh, of Harding Street, to six months’ imprisonment suspended for two years, chairman of the bench Amanda Lee said: “I am sure you have heard it every single time you come to court that something has to change, that this cannot go on and that this really is your last chance. Well, I’m going to say to you this really is your last chance and you need to listen very carefully.”

He must complete a six month drug rehabilitation requirement, complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement sessions and pay a £128 victim surcharge.