A cake factory worker sacked for poor timekeeping staged a break-in as an “act of revenge” – stealing and causing thousands of pounds worth of damage and lost production, a judge has heard.

Karl Whiteford, 44, of Darby Road, Brynteg, Wrexham, pleaded guilty to the burglary at the Cake Crew factory at Bala last month.

He also admitted damaging fencing of three neighbouring premises on Bala Enterprise Park.

Jailing him for a total of two years at Caernarfon Crown Court, Judge Peter Heywood said: “I look upon this as an act of revenge. You caused damage and disruption to the company and no doubt the 200 or so other employees lost money due to the shutting down of the production line.”

Prosecutor Ffion Tomos said Whiteford had worked at the cake factory for a time, but had been dismissed for turning up late for work and leaving early.

She said: ”He returned to the factory in the early hours of 6 June in a targeted attack. He cut through a fence to gain access and once inside stole various items valued at £925.

“He also caused considerable damage inside the building, forcing cupboards open and throwing items around. The damage has been valued at £6,532. In addition, the company lost about £4,000 in lost production due to his actions.”

Police found blood in a hallway and this was matched to Whiteford.

Miss Tomos added that the offences at Bala were committed while Whiteford was on bail for attempting to steal cash from a car park meter at Wrexham last February.

He had appeared before a judge at Mold last week and had admitted this offence as well as possessing a small amount of amphetamine.

Defence counsel Andrew Green said Whiteford had been homeless for some years and had lived rough on the streets. He had worked with a charity to help homeless people get off the streets.

Mr Green urged the judge to take into account the impact of custody on Whiteford and his early guilty pleas.