A prolific criminal has walked away from court with just a £50 fine.

Kirk Ayres, who has several previous convictions, appeared before Swindon Magistrates Court at the end of July charged with several offences.

This included the theft of a £4,000 hydraulic breaker, three counts of vehicle interference, failing to surrender to court bail on June 5 after being released on bail in May and possessing cocaine. 

As well as the small fine, Ayres was given a suspended 12-week prison sentence and ordered to carry out a drug rehabilitation programme after pleading guilty. 

The Stratton, Central Swindon North and West Swindon Neighbourhood Policing team issued a statement following the sentencing. 

A spokesperson for them said: "We continue to thank the public for their assistance, the public's assistance in this matter is important to us in managing offenders and bring those responsible to justice."

But members of the public have labelled the sentencing as 'embarrassing' 

Another added: "That's such embarrassing 'justice', I wouldn't have posted it."

A third person said: "You feel sorry for the police, must be a frustrating situation."

And a final person said: "Pointless punishment - he will be back in court in the next six months for the same thing."

Before his arrest on July 27, and the subsequent court appearance on July 31, where the sentence was handed down, Wiltshire Police had issued several public appeals asking for information on Ayre's whereabouts. 

This is the latest in a line of many crimes committed by the frequent offender, former of Sandgate, Stratton St Margaret, but now at  Ermin Street. 

In February he was sentenced to two months in prison for using stolen credit cards belonging to two people, vehicle interference, theft from a motor vehicle and driving a vehicle dangerously in separate offences dating back to September 2023. 

This was after a warrant for his arrest was issued for breach of a community order, with officers arresting him on February 8.

In March he was banned from driving for 14 months for getting behind the wheel in August 2023 while over the limit on cocaine, and ordered to pay a £120 fine and £85 costs.