A thief has been sentenced for causing more than £2,000 in damage to a town centre shop.

Anca Bulencea, of Victoria Road in Old Town, admitted to several offences, including theft, assault, and criminal damage, at Swindon Magistrates Court

The 33-year-old pleaded guilty to beating a man in Swindon and intending to destroy or damage Sports Direct's property by causing £2,019.60 of damage to the store on Regent Street on August 11, 2023.

The defendant also indicated pleas of guilty to attempting to steal a pair of trainers from the sportswear shop and taking alcohol worth £11.20 from an Iceland supermarket on the same date, as well as shoplifting a £42 pair of trainers from Sports Direct, trying to steal £12 Surf detergent tablets from Iceland, and having cannabis in her possession on August 10.

She entered no plea to the charge of stealing items worth £324 from Marks and Spencer on September 2, 2023.

Bulencea received a community order that requires her to attend up to 10 rehabilitation activity days and pay £50 to the assault victim

The Class B drug has been forfeited and destroyed. There was no order for the defendant to contribute towards court costs or victim services.