A REPEAT offender who was carrying a machete in Wilton will not be going to prison after telling a court he will "stick to his word".

Matthew Ronald Jewell, 43, appeared in Salisbury Magistrates Court on January 18 to be sentenced for charges of theft, possessing a knife and failing to comply with a previous order.

Jewell, who lives at a caravan site off Southampton Road, was found guilty of carrying a machete in Market Place, Wilton, on July 4, 2020.

He also stole a set of keys from Nisa Local at The Crescent in Salisbury on January 15, 2023, and failed to attend three rehabilitation appointments last year.

The serial offender was wanted by Wiltshire Police before appearing in court.

As previously reported by the Journal, Jewell has been dealt with by magistrates for more than 100 offences in the past 10 years, including drug driving, driving without due care and attention and driving without insurance.

Jewell was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 18 months, because he told the court he would comply with the rigorous order imposed and "stick to his word".

He must provide samples to the probation service for six months to ensure he is not taking drugs and complete 12 treatment sessions with a psychologist.

Magistrates also ordered him to complete 15 rehabilitation days and Jewell must pay a total of £374 in fines, court costs and surcharges.