BARMAN Stuart Collins, 24, went on a violent crime spree after his partner left him and took their child, Chippenham magistrates were told on Friday.

Collins, who now lives in Bristol, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods, interfering with a motor vehicle, common assault, criminal damage, fraudulent use of a vehicle licence and ten driving offences.

Prosecuting, Emmalyne Downing said Collins repeatedly head butted a man outside the One Stop shop in Chippenham's Hathaway Park two days before Christmas following a row with his girlfriend.

Four days later witnesses saw Collins and another man lying under a parked Vauxhall Cavalier on the Bumpers Farm estate in Chippenham trying to siphon petrol from a car. When police arrived they found a pair of black-handled pliers near the car and a plastic fuel can in a nearby hedgerow.

They found Collins and his companion behind a hedge.

Ms Downing said a week later Collins was in trouble again when he was alleged to have brandished a firearm at a man in Chippenham, who he suspected of dealing heroin.

Ms Downing said the victim was at home alone when he heard a loud knock at his door and when he answered the door a man, later identified as Collins, accused him of selling the drug to an individual he knew.

She said: "The man told Collins he did not deal drugs and did not know what he was talking about. Collins put his arm out straight in front of the man, who alleged he was holding a gun."

A struggle ensued and the man eventually forced Collins out of his house and shut his front door before making his way back upstairs.

Collins then smashed a hole in the man's glass front door.

He was arrested and told police he believed the man was a drug dealer. He said the door was shut in his face and he hit it three or four times causing it to break.

Defending, Muriel Wrench said: "His offending behaviour is linked to periods of his life when he has moved away from home and is susceptible to the effects of other people.

"Almost all these offences took place during December 2002, immediately after the breakdown of his relationship."

She said Collins has not seen his child since he split up with his partner.

He had taken positive steps to put his life in order, including taking medication and a course of counselling to help combat his depression.

Collins was given a two-year community rehabilitation order and ordered to pay a £746.50 in fines, compensation and court costs.