A MAN has asked a judge to remand him into custody to help him get off alcohol.

Carl Woodhams, of Tudor Walk, Walcot, was due to face sentence at Swindon Crown Court for grievous bodily harm and affray.

But the 20-year-old failed to turn up for a pre-sentence report to be prepared on four occasions.

Rob Ross, defending, told the court: “He is accepting of the fact that he has not been in touch with the probation service.

“You will see that the probation officer has indicated that there have been previous breaches of the supervision orders.

“These are serious offences, we spoke to Carl yesterday and he accepted he had not been to any appointment.

“He told us his drinking has got to a totally unacceptable level, he and his girlfriend split up and a friend has died recently. It is a confirmed alcohol-related death three days ago.

“He has got some trauma in his past in relation to what went on in the family. He appreciates that he requires a report.

“I am in the unusual position where not only am I asking for an adjournment for a report but for you to remand him in custody for it.

“He has come here thinking that is the only was he is going to stop drinking and you are going to get a report.

“There are things he wants to talk about but he can’t do that because of his alcohol consumption.”

Judge Euan Ambrose adjourned the case to Wednesday, May 25 and remanded Woodhams in custody.

Woodhams admitted carrying out the assault on August 5 and the affray the following day.

Also in the dock were Lewis Gordon and George Green, both 18, who admitted being involved in the second incident.

Gordon, of Baydon Close, Moredon, pleaded guilty to robbery where a man had his wrist watch taken.

Green, of Haddon Close, Grange Park, admitted threatening behaviour, accepting he launched a flying kick during the incident.

Their cases were also adjourned and they will face sentence at the same time as Woodhams.

Both men were released on bail on condition they observe curfews and stay out of the town centre.

A 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, who also admitted robbery was put under supervision for a year, banned from drinking in public for six months and put on a three-month curfew by the youth court.