A CARMARTHEN man has been sent to prison for six months after he admitted breaking into a store in the town and attempting to take items.
Karl Moreton, aged 33, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday (Oct 9) to plead guilty to three charges.
Moreton pleaded guilty to entering the Savers store in Carmarthen and picking up £500 worth of items, possessing a small amount of cannabis and failing to provide a sample whilst in custody at Ammanford police station.
Prosecuting, Mrs Sian Vaughan told the Court: “On Oct 8, a telephone call was made to the police by the Poundland store manager who could see the door had been smashed and the alarms were sounding and he believed whoever had entered was still there.
“The officers attended and found a bag containing perfume make up and alcohol from the Savers store. He was taken to custody where the drugs were recovered and a sample was requested but he failed to comply.
“When he was spoken to by officers he acknowledged he was going to be going back to prison. £350 in compensation is being sought for the damage to the window and door but the other items were recovered.”
Defending, Mr Andrew Isaac added: “He has recently been released on licence and he used the money to pay his rent arrears. An application had been made for benefits but he has not received any as yet. He used this money to pay rent arrears and had no money for living. He accepts what he was wrong and he apologises.
“He has had problems with substances and it is a huge problem that needs to be tackled. The circumstances dictated he had nothing, the items were recovered but damage was caused. Things aren’t looking good for him and he is struggling.”
Magistrates sent him to prison for a total of six months for the offence of theft and he was given a further two months for the other two offences which will run concurrently.
Once released he will have to pay a £115 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs as well as £350 in compensation.
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