A MAN has got his wish to spend Christmas day in prison and muttered ‘thank God for that’ as he left the dock in handcuffs.

Dean Maundrell appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday after being caught driving whilst disqualified in Radstock Avenue on October 29 and then doing a runner from a police officer who chased him home to Brendon Walk in Park North.

The 28-year-old, who brought along two bags of belongings, instructed his solicitor Sambreen Arif to ask the magistrates to put him behind bars so he could sort his life out.

“I find it quite difficult saying send my client to prison, it does not come naturally,” Ms Arif said.

“But he is in such a bad way at the moment and knows he shouldn’t have been driving while disqualified.

“Dean is a young man with some troubles currently in his life. He has no accommodation, work is on and off and he has started to misuse cocaine.

“He says he needs to sort himself out. He just feels he is on a downwards spiral.

“All I can say is it’s coming up to Christmas, he realises he will spend Christmas day in prison. He is very focused and wants to give up the wrong things he is doing.”

Magistrates decided to sentence Maundrell, who has been jailed before, to a 12 week prison sentence, of which he will serve half in custody. He was also ordered to pay £115. His driving ban was extended to March 2020.