An Aberarth man with a string of previous convictions has been jailed by magistrates for threatening behaviour, driving while disqualified, refusing a breath test and criminal damage.

Barry Phillips, of Isfryn, Aberarth Village, appeared before Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on 29 October.

The 51-year-old pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified in a red Citroen C1 on the A487 at Aberaeron on 28 October this year.

Phillips also pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis to police in Aberystwyth on 27 October.

Phillips also admitted a charge of using threatening or abusive behaviour in Aberarth on 16 September this year, as well as a separate charge of damaging a book belonging to Dyfed-Powys Police on 27 October.

A separate charge of using threatening behaviour with intent in Aberarth on 16 September was dismissed at the hearing, while another charge of driving a car without insurance on the A487 at Aberaeron on 27 October this year was withdrawn.

Magistrates heard that Phillips committed the offences while the subject of a suspended sentence order for previous offences.

Magistrates jailed Phillips for a total of 24 weeks.

The offences were “so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified”, the court ruled, because of the “nature and seriousness” of the crimes, Phillips’ previous convictions and his “complete disregard for court orders”.

The jail sentence wasn’t suspended, magistrates decided, because the offences were “committed whilst subject to a suspended sentence order.”

Magistrates also disqualified Phillips from driving for 40 months and made him the subject of a one year restraining order for the threatening behaviour offence.

He must also pay compensation to Dyfed-Powys Police of £8.99 as well as costs to the Crown Prosecution Service of £85.