Thief is jailed over raid at wedding party

A "LIGHT-FINGERED" thief went on a stealing spree which included stealing congratulations cards and gifts from a couple's wedding reception.

Martin Jenkins also took a cash box containing wages, and a taxi driver's takings.

Jenkins, formerly of Caemawr Road, Morriston, pleaded guilty to three charges of theft and two of burglary with intent to steal when he appeared before Swansea Crown Court.

The court heard that during his spree he took envelopes containing cards and gifts from a wedding reception at a hotel in Mumbles on May 19.

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John Lloyd, prosecuting, said the newly-weds had provided a letterbox for guests to deposit their cards and good luck messages.

He said: "The box was given to staff and was later put in a separate room.

"The following morning the couple went to receive their gifts and found it had been forcefully opened and a number of cards taken."

In total, 22 cards containing some £540 were taken.

Mr Lloyd said: "It was a substantial amount of cash. But more important to the couple were the missing cards with personal sentiments from a day that could not be repeated."

Jenkins, 32, also admitted taking a cash box containing £5,500 from inside a van parked at the National Pool of Wales car park on February 14.

And he also pleaded guilty to stealing £55 from taxi driver Keith Edwards on July 12 — the court was told that as Mr Edwards was helping an elderly passenger from his taxi, Jenkins lent inside the vehicle, grabbed his takings and cycled off.

Ian Wright, representing Jenkins, said his client had admitted all the offences at the first opportunity.

He accepted his client had an "enviable" record but said his offending had eased when he was in work.

Judge Peter Heywood said all the offences were opportunistic but said he had a habit of being "light-fingered".

And he told Jenkins he had "blighted" the couple's wedding day.

Judge Heywood sentenced Jenkins to a total of 15 months in prison.

ruth.mosalski@swwmedia.co.uk

01792 514606