A WOMAN who swore at police when they found her lying down on a busy roundabout has been fined by magistrates.

It was the second time the 33-year-old was discovered on the same traffic island.

Amanda Ponting became abusive to passing motorists while she in the middle of the Whalebridge roundabout.

The latest offence happened weeks after she was bound over to keep the peace for wandering on the same spot.

Rob Welling, prosecuting, told Swindon Magistrates' Court that members of the public contacted the police at about 9pm on Tuesday, June 8, because Ponting was being abusive to passing motorists.

He said: "The police arrived to see this woman and another person lying on the island in the middle of Fleming Way."

When the police arrived, he said, she was abusive to officers so they arrested her and took her to the police station.

Ponting, of Broad Street, admitted behaving in a manner likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

She also admitted being in breach of a bind over imposed by the court at the end of April when she was arrested on the roundabout while holding two cans of lager.

Tony Nowogrodzki, defending, said that his client believed the police were picking on her when they approached and swore at them.

He said that she had mental health problems and was suspicious of men after a difficult upbringing.

Ponting had spent a night in the cells after being arrested and so had time to reflect on what she had done.

Magistrates fined her £40, ordered she pay £20 costs and allowed the bind over in the sum of £100 to continue.

Tamsin Davis