A fuel thief thanked magistrates after they spared him jail for a bilking spree and twice failing to provide blood samples to police.

Jonathan Capaldi admitted stealing around £150-worth of fuel from garages across Swindon in February and March.

The 32-year-old, who is currently on tag having been released just six weeks into a six month sentence imposed at the crown court in May for dangerous driving, also pleaded guilty to failing to provide specimens of blood or breath to police on February 19 and March 1.

Prosecutor Keith Ballinger told Swindon Magistrates’ Court Capaldi had tested positive for a drug – not named in court - at the roadside after police found him in the driver’s seat. Drugs paraphernalia was scattered on the ground around the vehicle. Taken to the police station, he refused to provide a sample for analysis.

Two weeks later he was stopped after he cut up police on the roundabout at Junction 16. Officers thought he might have been under the influence and he tested positive for cocaine at the roadside. He again failed to provide a sample of blood.

Interviewed by police in relation to the thefts of fuel he admitted making off without payment, telling officers he had been signed off work and couldn’t afford to pay for the fuel.

The final set of offences dated back to November 3 last year. He was behind the wheel of a Vauxhall Corsa in Covingham when he sped past police officers, who tried and failed to stop him.

It had been raining and the roads were wet. Police felt the driving fell below the standard expected of a careful and competent driver, Mr Ballinger said.

Richard Williams, defending, said his client suffered from a number of mental health conditions, including a personality disorder, bipolar disorder, acute anxiety and depression.

At the start of the year Capaldi had been in the grip of addiction, his solicitor said. “He was in a spiral of decline.” His relationship with the mother of his young son had broken down at the end of 2018 and there had been difficulties keeping contact with his child. His grandmother died after a battle with cancer.

Mr Williams said: “Not to try and excuse his behaviour but matters did get on top of him, especially early this year and he was using more and more unlawful drugs.”

His client had found his six weeks behind bars especially difficult. He was now working closely with addiction service Turning Point and wanted to make his parents proud.

Capaldi, of Manor Park, South Marston, pleaded guilty to theft of fuel, failing to provide a specimen of breath and careless driving.

Magistrates sentenced him to 14 weeks imprisonment suspended for two years. He must pay £144 compensation and complete a six month drug rehabilitation course and the thinking skills programme.He was banned from driving for 36 months.