A MAN from Rhyl stole tools worth more than £1,500 in total from his employer, believing he owed him money for work.

Lewis Thomas, 29, of East Parade, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court today (May 30) for sentence.

But the sentencing of Thomas, who previously admitted a charge of burglary of a dwelling, was adjourned until tomorrow, while enquiries are made as to whether the tools were returned.

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During today’s hearing, prosecutor Patrick Gartland told the court that Thomas stole tools worth £1,566.53 from a property on Stanley Park Avenue in Rhyl late on April 29.

Thomas had been renovating the property with its owner, Milo O’Loughlin, who was on holiday abroad at the time of the burglary.

Footage captured from the property’s Ring doorbell showed Thomas picking up a shovel before gaining entry, and later leaving on a push bike while carrying a large bag.

A small amount of damage was also caused to a window at the back of the property, which Thomas used to exit the premises.

He was arrested on May 4, with items of clothing seized from his accommodation matching those which he was seen wearing on the Ring doorbell footage.

Thomas said he had worked sporadically for Mr O’Loughlin for the last seven years, and was annoyed at having “not been paid what he should have been” for previous jobs.

In addition, he said he had returned all of the items he stole, and claimed that Mr O’Loughlin had forgiven him.

Defending Thomas, who had 18 previous convictions for 51 offences and who had been released from prison roughly six weeks earlier, Amy Edwards said he is remorseful for his actions.

“He knows he messed up when committing this offence,” Ms Edwards said.

“He took the opportunity, knowing the dwelling was empty, to take the tools.”

But, Ms Edwards added, he had “absolutely not intention” to cause harm to Mr O’Loughlin, having committed the burglary in the knowledge that he was abroad at the time.

A letter from Mr O’Loughlin read that he holds no ill feelings towards Thomas, a father of four.

Recorder Wyn Lloyd-Jones, presiding over today’s hearing, wanted to confirm if the tools had indeed been returned before sentencing Thomas.

He said: “It’s actually quite sad to see a young man who keeps carrying on offending, literally throwing his life away.”