A MAN with convictions for 212 previous offences has been sent back to jail after he admitted a house burglary and the burglary of a hotel.
Ralph Alan Jones, 46, was only released from prison a week ago. A court heard how he was cold, wet and at a low ebb on Sunday and started trying doors in Rhosddu Road, to find somewhere to sleep.
But he ended up stealing a student’s boots from a bedsit and two flat screen televisions from the Lemon Tree Hotel, also on Rhosddu Road.
Jones appeared from custody at Flintshire Magistrates Court in Mold. He entered immediate guilty pleas and was given two consecutive six month prison sentences.
Matthew Ellis, prosecuting, said students in shared accommodation heard a noise and confronted Jones in their property.
He appeared confused, apologised and left.
When one of the other students returned home he found his room had been subjected to an untidy search. His boots had gone and a pair of trainers that were not his were in his room.
Later the same day the manager of the Lemon Tree Hotel was disturbed by knocking. He went to investigate and confronted Jones.
He left carrying a flat screen television wrapped in bedding and another was found on a flat roof.
Both had been taken from vacant rooms in the hotel.
A member of staff followed Jones as he made his way into town and he was arrested – wearing the student’s boots, which were valued at £50.
Melissa Griffiths, defending, said her client had been released from prison a week ago and had lost his accommodation.
He was homeless and was wandering about aimlessly on Sunday after he had been drinking.
After a period of being “dry” while in custody, Jones believed it had more of an effect on him.
He was feeling at a particularly low ebb, was cold and wet and wanted somewhere to sleep.
Jones slept in the student’s room and noticed the boots and swapped them for his trainers which had been letting in water.
He later went to the Lemon Tree Hotel for a sleep.
When he woke up he noticed the televisions and fell to temptation.
Jones had a large number of convictions but burglary was not his offence of choice – he normally committed petty shoplifting offences.
He made no comment during interview but had considered his position overnight, and had decided to plead guilty at his court appearance.
Miss Griffiths said the credit for doing that could be demonstrated by dealing with his case in the magistrates’ court rather than committing him to the crown court for sentence.