A WOMAN who invited a homeless man into her house was rewarded for her kindness when he stole from her.
Wrexham magistrates heard Angel Goodwin offered Glyn Foulkes food and a shower but he ended up stealing items valued at £700.
Foulkes, 23, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to stealing a laptop, a games console and games from Miss Goodwin’s home in Acrefair on February 9.
Justin Espie, prosecuting, said Miss Goodwin allowed Foulkes and his friend into her home as she knew them and knew they were both penniless and wanted to help.
She offered them food and the use of her shower, and even washed their clothes.
The men had been using the games console throughout the evening with Miss Goodwin’s permission, said Mr Espie. She knew the two men were both intoxicated.
At one point in the evening she left them downstairs while she attended to her young daughter, but then noticed “things had gone quiet”.
She went downstairs and found the back door wide open and the games console and laptop missing.
Mr Espie said she tried calling and texting Foulkes, and even offered money, but when that came to nothing she called the police.
The offence was “a breach of trust” and happened while Foulkes was on bail for other offences. He had failed to surrender to court on February 4.
He was also charged with stealing alcohol valued at £150 from off-licences in Rhos, Chirk, Llangollen and Rhosddu between December 13 and January 23.
Mark Davies, defending, said Foulkes had fully admitted his guilt to all charges.
He said Foulkes lived a somewhat nomadic lifestyle and his biggest problem was alcohol.
Mr Davies said when Foulkes was sober and not under the influence of any drugs, he was a very pleasant individual, but in his current situation he would not readily comply with a community order.
He said Foulkes had taken full responsibility for the thefts and said his friend was not involved.
Magistrates sentenced Foulkes to four months in prison for stealing from Miss Goodwin.
One month for the other offences and one month for failing to surrender to his bail were to be served concurrently.