FATHER of five Mark Hiscock, who once represented Wiltshire at darts, has been given the county's first Criminal Behaviour Order.

Hiscock, 41, of Roseland Avenue, Devizes, appeared at Salisbury Magistrates' Court on Friday and pleaded guilty to two charges of being drunk and disorderly. He was fined a total of £70, including a £20 victim surcharge.

In addition, he was handed a two year Criminal Behaviour Order due to his anti-social behaviour in Devizes town centre. He is now prohibited from being drunk or having alcohol in public, from acting in a manner that would cause harassment, alarm or distress, and from entering Sainsbury's in Devizes. Any breaches of this order within that two-year period could result in imprisonment.

This was the first successful application in Wiltshire for a CBO, which replaces anti-social behaviour orders, and was the culmination of work by Devizes Neighbourhood Policing Team who worked closely with the public protection Department of Wiltshire Council.

Sergeant Vincent Logue of Devizes NPT, who attended Salisbury Magistrates Court with Tom Ward from Wiltshire Council to support the application, said: "The public have the right to go about their business free from anti-social behaviour and the many months of work that have gone into making this application just goes to show how seriously the police and council take the issue.

"Despite all the support available through the council and other agencies to try to help Hiscock reform, for too long his behaviour has been totally unacceptable and our only remaining action available was to apply for the CBO.

"It is hoped that this enforcement action will show Hiscock that his anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and that his actions have consequences."

Last May Hiscock approached the Gazette to warn other heavy drinkers to get help after he was told in 2013 to give up alcohol or be dead within five months.

He admitted to having had a drink problem since his brother Garry died of leukaemia 16 years ago.

He said: “I got in with the wrong people and used to drink far too much.”

Hiscock admitted he was well known to the local police and was regularly in court for being drunk and disorderly. But said his wife Nikki had stood by him.

He said at the time: "I want to thank everyone who has given me support over the last few months. A lot of people say they respect me for what I have done, but I have done it for my family as much as for myself."

Hiscock used to play darts for Wiltshire and was highly regarded in the sport. He said he had started to play again and was coming back into form.