A DRUNK security guard who left a £24,000 trail of destruction in a Trowbridge shopping mall escaped a prison term.

Matthew Holly was being paid to protect The Shires shopping centre when he kicked in the windows of Ottakar's bookstore and the Holland and Barrett health food shop.

On Tuesday the 27-year-old was given a six-month curfew order after admitting two counts of criminal damage at an earlier hearing.

At his sentencing Chippenham magistrates told Holly he would be electronically tagged and must stay indoors between 11pm and 8am from Sunday night to Friday morning.

The court accepted Holly had been experiencing relationship problems at the time of his rampage on April 25 and had a better future ahead of him.

Holly now lives with his parents in Avonmouth, Bristol during the week and works as a forklift truck driver. His tagging and curfew apply at that address, but he is free to see his partner and two children in Steeple Ashton at weekends.

Suzanne Gardner, defending, said Holly was a former heroin and crack addict and was currently serving a drink drive ban.

"There is good news that he has a partner who is standing by him. My client has the opportunity to turn his life around now."

Holly was also ordered to pay £43 costs, but was not fined or ordered to pay compensation.