A MAN banned from Swindon's car parks to stop him stealing from cars has appeared in court accused of breaking the order.

An Anti-Social Behaviour Order issued by Swindon magistrates in February bans Nicholas Davis from all the town centre car parks.

But it is alleged that the 35-year-old was found inside a car which had been broken into in John Street multi-storey car park on Saturday.

Prosecutor Paula Mulhurne said Davis was spotted by an acquaintance, who challenged him.

The car window was smashed, and the indicator lights were flashing.

The court was told Davis then jumped over a wall and ran off, but was later arrested. Davis, who gave his address as Swindon's Culvery Court homeless hostel, told the court he had spotted a thief breaking into the vehicle.

He told police he got into the vehicle to check the stereo had not been taken and pleaded not guilty to stealing the equipment and breaching the ASBO.

He elected to be tried by magistrates, not a crown court jury.

Rob Ross, defending, said Davis' claim was completely believable.

"It's not in anyway fanciful," he said. "One sees cars that have been broken into with alarming regularity throughout Swindon."

Davis was remanded in custody and is due to appear again via a TV link for a pre-trial review tomorrow. In the autumn, the Evening Advertiser joined forces with the police to make life harder for thieves who steal from cars.

Posters for our Clear Your Car campaign went up across town urging motorists not to leave valuables on display.

Thefts from cars initially declined, but have recently started rising again.

And police are warning motorists to be vigilant.

Superintendent Richard Rowland, of Swindon Police, said vehicle crime in Swindon was a real menace but courts had limited powers to deal with offenders.

Tamash Lal