A MAN who went on holiday to Turkey rather than turn up to be sentenced at Swindon Crown Court has been jailed for six months.

Kevin Crowther received the prison term on his return from the Mediterranean because he had failed to do community service imposed after he attacked his uncle.

The 25-year-old was due to attend the court last month but the judge was told he had taken his partner and their child to the sun for ten days.

During that hearing Rob Ross, who was representing Crowther, told the court that his client accepted breaching the community service and probation order.

He said Crowther had appeared at the magistrates' court on August 17 and was told the case was being sent to crown court for sentencing.

"Shortly thereafter he booked a holiday to Turkey. The leaving day was this morning," Mr Ross told the court.

He said that his client, of Walter Close, The Prinnels, West Swindon, came to see him after going to the court to tell them he wouldn't be attending.

"The holiday had been paid for in advance of the court date being given to him," he said.

But the day after returning to Britain Crowther turned up at the court and received a six-month jail term.

Crowther admitted actual bodily harm in May last year after he attacked his uncle.

Stephen Kitchen was punched to the ground and repeatedly hit by Crowther at his home in Haydon Street.

In July last year Crowther was sentenced to 100 hours' of community service along with two years probation

Passing that sentence Judge Longbotham told him "If you come back before me then there is only one place you are likely to go and that is prison."