A man who owes just over £26,600 in child maintenance had been given one last chance to pay.
39-year-old Richard Sheffield appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court this morning (Monday).
The defendant, of Ridgemead, Calne, accepted wilful refusal in relation to a liability order made in April 2023 – and has now agreed to pay £500 a month. 
District Judge Joanna Dickens imposed a suspended committal order, meaning Sheffield could be jailed for 42 days if he fails to keep up with his payments.
She said: “This is a serious matter going back many years, children must be supported… something’s got to change.
“If you go to ground again and don’t make a payment, you may go to prison.”
