A THIEF who posed as a Good Samaritan then stole a gold necklace has walked from court. Teen Antonio Rhoden, who has been before the crown court five times in the past two years, was spared jail time after the judge heard he was “turning things around”. He is subject to two suspended sentences. The first, imposed in July 2019, was for his involvement in a mass brawl outside the Medina nightclub. He received the second in May this year for an attack that saw him and two others bundle a man into the back of a car and subject him to a terrifying assault.
Simon Hall leaves Swindon Crown Court Picture: ADVER PHOTOGRAPHER AN ALCOHOLIC weaved down the M4 at up to 90mph then smashed into three police cars in an escape bid. And while on bail for the dangerous driving, Simon Hall brandished an axe at the home of a man he suspected had burgled his home. But the 45-year-old was spared an immediate spell behind bars at Swindon Crown Court on Friday after the judge heard Hall had been suffering from poor mental health at the time. Imposing a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years, Recorder Anna Midgley said: “You will go to prison and serve 12 months if you commit any further offences or if you don’t comply with the alcohol treatment requirement or do as directed by probation. You could then be breached, brought back to court and be liable to go to prison.”
AN ALLEGED burglar will appear before the crown court next month. Frankie O’Dwyer, 20, is accused of breaking into a house in Westbury Park, Royal Wootton Bassett, on December 15 and stealing keys to a silver Mercedes, bank cards and £20 cash. He is said to have stolen the £20,000 66-plate Mercedes. Appearing before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Saturday morning, O’Dwyer, of Baydon, near Aldbourne, entered no pleas to burglary and theft. Pleas to the burglary charge could only be taken at the crown court, JPs heard. Prosecutor Keith Ballinger withdrew allegations that O’Dwyer assaulted a prison officer at HMP Erlestoke on April 3 and had a prohibited mobile phone in the Wiltshire jail on July 7. The magistrates were told the charges would be withdrawn as the police had not sent sufficient detail about the allegations.
AN ALLEGED burglar will appear before the crown court next month. Frankie O’Dwyer, 20, is accused of breaking into a house in Westbury Park, Royal Wootton Bassett, on December 15 and stealing keys to a silver Mercedes, bank cards and £20 cash. He is said to have stolen the £20,000 66-plate Mercedes. Appearing before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Saturday morning, O’Dwyer, of Baydon, near Aldbourne, entered no pleas to burglary and theft. Pleas to the burglary charge could only be taken at the crown court, JPs heard. Prosecutor Keith Ballinger withdrew allegations that O’Dwyer assaulted a prison officer at HMP Erlestoke on April 3 and had a prohibited mobile phone in the Wiltshire jail on July 7. The magistrates were told the charges would be withdrawn as the police had not sent sufficient detail about the allegations.
A PUB drinker is said to have smashed another man with a glass. Rory Curran, 33, is accused of launching the attack at the Kings Arms pub in Malmesbury on December 20 last year. Appearing before Swindon Crown Court on Friday afternoon wearing a smart sports jacket, white shirt and tie, Curran, of Michael Pyms Road, Malmesbury, pleaded not guilty to a charge of wounding with intent. However, he admitted a lesser charge of causing grievous bodily harm. Judge Peter Crabtree gave the Crown Prosecution Service until January 12 to indicate whether those pleas would be acceptable. If they are, Curran will be sentenced on February 8.