'Prolific offender' who stole bank cards jailed

Police warned the public to make sure valuable items are kept hidden

A 46-year old man has been jailed for eight-and-a-half months for stealing bank cards from vehicles and fraudulently using them.

Michael McDonagh, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft from a motor vehicle and three counts of fraud by false representation.

He was sentenced to 36 weeks in prison when he appeared at Swindon Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

PC Paul Bezzant, from Wiltshire Police, said: "McDonagh is a prolific offender and I’m pleased he now faces time behind bars for his crimes."

McDonagh was arrested in Swindon town centre at about 09:30 GMT on Monday.

A theft from a vehicle in the town centre had been reported on Sunday evening and a similar offence occurred in Cricklade Road on 13 November.

Police linked McDonagh to the fraudulent use of stolen bank cards at the Applegreen Petrol Station in Great Western Way.

'Leave nothing on show'

PC Bezzant urged drivers to keep their vehicles secure and not to leave anything on display.

He said: "Please don’t make your vehicle an easy target for thieves. Always remember to lock your vehicle, even if you are leaving it only for seconds. It only takes a moment for it to be stolen.

"Don’t leave items such as Christmas presents, or valuables like laptops, mobile phones, handbags, credit cards or cheque books in your car.

"Leave absolutely nothing on show."