A teenager stalker who harassed two workers at the town centre library has been jailed by magistrates.

Zachary Phillips was sentenced to four weeks in custody after magistrates heard how he abused and threatened the library workers at the end of October.

But as the 18-year-old is already serving a 17-week term for burglary and assault he will not spend an extra day behind bars as the new sentence was made to run concurrently.

Town magistrates heard that Phillips, formerly of Culvery Court, had been suspected of stealing compact discs from the library, though no action was taken against him.

Nicola Wootton, prosecuting, said as a result staff kept an eye on him.

She said the two victims, manager Patricia Mundy, and assistant David Sudworth had both worked at the library in Regent Circus for some time.

The court heard that because he had no friends in Swindon and was living in a hostel, Phillips spent a lot of time in the library keeping warm and out of the rain.

Miss Wootton said that on Monday, October 27, he went into the building and was abusive, making threats to staff.

The following day he returned and when Mr Sudworth asked him to leave he refused saying: 'You don't want to mess with me'.

Mr Sudworth called the police.

That night as Mr Sudworth left work with Ms Mundy they saw the teenager waiting near her car.

As they got into the vehicle Phillips was banging on the windows saying, "Are you frightened now? I'll have you," and, "You're all going to get it, you're all scared now".

Ms Mundy used her mobile phone to call the police and Phillips left them.

The following morning he again arrived at the library at 9.30am.

Martin Wiggins, defending, said his client was, "a troubled young man" who did not realise what he was doing would cause so much concern.

He said it was a form of bullying as Phillips was an immature 18-year-old.

Since the offences he said his client had been jailed for a burglary and assault where his mother was the victim.

Phillips, he said, was a loner with few friends.

He said he also suffered from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder which he had never really got to grips with.

After he was accused of stealing he said the staff took a dislike to him but rather than keeping his head down and dealing with it in an adult way he became confrontational.

Phillips, who admitted two counts of harassment, was jailed for four weeks to run concurrently with his existing 17-week term.

It is thought he will be released in the first week of January.

Catherine Turnbull