A ‘desperate’ dad from Pembrokeshire who stole his own son’s games console to sell told police that ‘desperate times called for desperate measures’ a court heard this week.
The defendant from Milford Haven who cannot be named due to court restrictions appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday, to admit a charge of theft, in that he stole a limited edition X-Box console and controller to the value of £305 belonging to his son.
Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard Jones told the court that the theft occurred some time between July 1 and 26 of last year.
“The victim had bought the X-Box himself with his own money but when he visited his father one day, he found it was no longer there. His dad said that he had leant it to friends, but when enquiries were made, he said that he’d sold it to get some money.
“When interviewed by police the defendant told officers ‘desperate times called for desperate measures’ as at the time he didn’t have sufficient money to live on.
“He was offered a conditional caution at the time, with the condition to repay his son, but as he has not complied, the matter has returned to court proceedings,” added Mr. Pritchard Jones.
Defence solicitor Mark Layton told the court that his client very much regretted the offence.
“He was desperate and short of money and food. He found himself in a difficult financial position. He very much regrets the matter which has damaged his relationship with his son,” he added.
Magistrates fined the defendant £120 for the offence and ordered him to pay compensation of £305 to the victim.
He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £30 victim surcharge.