"Chaotic lifestyle" blamed for Pembroke Dock man's theft and drug offences

Robert Hamilton, who is temporarily residing at his sister's house in 25 Devon Drive, pleaded guilty at Haverfordwest magistrates court to charges of possessing amphetamine and theft.

Prosecutor Ellie Morgan said that police executed a warrant at a property on January 9th and found Hamilton, aged 29, standing in the hallway.

She described how he was searched and officers recovered a yellow container containing four grams of amphetamine.

"He admitted that he had it for personal use and that he spends about £30 per day on the substance.

He said he used his benefits to fund the purchases."

Ms Morgan said the theft charge related to January 15th, when Hamilton and a friend were asked to attend the house of a female friend and look after her two year old child.

"The complainant returned home and noticed her DVD player was out of place.

"She went to straighten it and noticed the television coin metre was missing, which contained about £20 to £30."

Ms Morgan said the police were notified and tracked down Hamilton, who upon being interviewed admitted he'd stolen the box, smashed it with a brick, and taken £6 for "fags and pop."

Hamilton, she added, had "a history of drug related and dishonesty offences."

Defence lawyer Mark Layton said his client was going through an uncertain period in his life: "Until recently he was living with his father but sadly, there was a house fire and the flat burnt down.

"He is now technically homeless but is staying with his sister. It his current chaotic lifestyle that led to these offences and he needs some help."

Presiding magistrate Roy Thomas told Hamilton: "You committed the theft intentionally and it was a breach of trust.

"To take the box you had to tamper with electrical wiring and this could have caused serious harm."

Hamilton was told to return for sentencing on February 24th, to give the probation service time to file a pre-sentence report.