A former escape room owner who closed his business just one month ago has been sentenced for illegal driving and resisting arrest.

John Tanner, of Lewis Close in Abbey Meads, Swindon, was arrested on Marlborough High Street at approximately 3.40pm on August 31.

A police officer from the serious collision investigation team had attempted to stop his Land Rover for being driven on a provisional driving licence, without L plates and without insurance.

But Wiltshire Police say members of the public had to assist the officer with the arrest until more officers could arrive.

The 35-year-old, who previously ran Escape Room HQ in Swindon and Enigma Rooms in Chippenham, appeared in Swindon Magistrate's Court on September 18 and pleaded guilty to three charges.

These include obstructing/resisting a constable in the execution of duty, driving without third-party insurance, and driving otherwise in accordance with a driving licence.

Tanner appeared in court for illegal driving just one month after closing his businessTanner appeared in court for illegal driving just one month after closing his business (Image: Public) Tanner has now been disqualified from driving for 12 months and given six points on his license.

He must also pay a £120 fine for lack of insurance, a £40 for resisting a police officer, £85 in court costs and a £64 surcharge, leaving him with a total sum of £309 for his crimes.

“We would like to thank the members of the public who assisted the officer before their colleague's arrival," said a spokesperson for Wiltshire Police.

This comes after the closure of his Stratton-based escape room business Escape Room HQ on Hobley Drive. 

Read More: Swindon escape rooms staff owed wages when they lost jobs

Earlier this year the attraction's handful of young staff were made redundant, with all three of them owed money in wages. 

Tanner and his partner initially said there had been an issue with the business's bank account and the money had been 'frozen' and then denied to the mother of one of them that she had ever worked for him. 

Read More: Swindon businessman opens escape room - after £1,000 tribunal ruling

But after being contacted by the Advertiser this issue was reportedly quickly resolved and two of the three employees were paid their outstanding wages. 

One employee is still to receive the money owed to them and is now seeking advice through ACAS. 

John Tanner was the majority shareholder and director of the company until April when he transferred both the ownership and directorship to his wife, Emma.

He has previously lost employment tribunals for unpaid wages at two of his former ventures  Enigma Rooms and Paranormal Electronics - and still owes employees from those firms over £5,000.