Thief caught rummaging through a parked car

POLICE found a thief rummaging through a parked car in Llanelli and reports of car windows being smashed in the early hours.

David Ashley Jones was caught in the act by officers on July 29.

Jones, of Great Western Terrace, Llanelli, pleaded guilty to three charges before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

These were theft of money from a motor vehicle, interfering with a motor vehicle and going equipped for theft.

Jones appeared via video link from Swansea prison where he had been recalled to.

Prosecutor Sian Vaughan said: “In the early hours police were called to a street in Llanelli due to a male smashing a car window.

“Police attended and the defendant was in the car with loose change and also had a yellow and orange gardening glove with in his possession.

“He said the change was found on the floor outside the car and he was putting it back in the vehicle.”

The court heard Jones had been dealt with by the courts for three other offences just days earlier, under which he was subject to a community order.

Defence solicitor Matthew Riddler said: “My client apologises for his actions and had relapsed into substance abuse at the time of the offence.

“He is now getting help with that.”

Magistrates sentenced Jones, 28, to three weeks in custody for each of the charges and the sentences will run concurrently.

The community order for three previous offences was revoked and he was given three weeks in prison for each of those – also to run concurrently.

No court costs were ordered to be paid but Jones must pay a £122 victim surcharge.