THIEF Mark Thirkettle has avoided jail after a crime spree in Royal Wootton Bassett which included 14 thefts, a burglary and two assaults on police officers in less than a month.

Thirkettle, 42, of The Maltings, was handed a total retail ban last month after admitting a number of thefts when he relapsed into hard drug use.

At the Christmas lights switch on at Royal Wootton Bassett on December 5, Thirkettle was caught stealing a cash box by two off duty officers and assaulted each of them before members of the public intervened and allowed his escape.

At North West Wiltshire Magistrates’ Court, Chippenham, on Monday, Thirkettle was sentenced for charges of theft on November 13 and 18 and a burglary on November 17.

He failed to surrender to police bail, and committed further thefts on December 4, 5 and 13, including two assaults on police officers, and another theft on December 15. Nine other thefts were taken into consideration.

James Burnham, prosecuting, said that, in November, Thirkettle had stolen fragrances from Asda and meat from the Angel Hotel worth hundreds of pounds.

“The defendant was bailed on November 20 having admitted a further nine offences,” he said.

“About two weeks later, on December 5, the event was the switching on of the Christmas tree. There were a number of stalls set up and one had its cash box stolen by the defendant.”

PC Best, there with his family, witnessed the defendant committing the offence.

“He called out, ‘Mark, stop it’s the police,’ at which he turned around and struck PC Best.

“A struggle ensued and the cash box fell to the floor. Members of the public intervened and separated the officer from the defendant, allowing him to escape.

“PC Parsons heard raised voices and saw the struggle. He pursued the defendant, identified himself, and the defendant was found hidden behind some bins. The officer tried to restrain him but was punched to the side of the face.”

Emma Thacker, defending Thirkettle, asked for his prison term to be suspended so he could tackle his drugs problems.

“Unfortunately you can sum all these offences up by the use of drugs,” she said.

“He has spent a significant period of last year free from drugs.

“He and his partner have a two-year-old son who has been displaying some behavioural issues and, unfortunately, he has been diagnosed with autism.

“The stress has led to a significant relapse and he was also under pressure from the job centre, because he felt he wasn’t in the state of mind where he could go out to work.

“He decided to opt out of medication. He had a meltdown which caused a massive relapse and all these offences were committed because he was using heroin and cocaine again, letting himself down and his family.

“He is aware he has done wrong and fully accepts a custodial term. The term described in the pre-sentence report is prison would have been easy. That would be the easy option.”

Thirkettle received a 24-week sentence suspended for 18 months, and was made to pay compensation of £50 to each of the officers and £236.96 to the Angel Hotel.