Two men stole items from an Aberystwyth hotel and bar, including keys, after walking in off the street.

David Murrell, 34, of Flat 2, 22 South Road, pleaded guilty to burglary at Harry’s Hotel on 12 September 2018 after he was seen behind a counter trying to open a till.

Luke Jennings, 24, of 35 Garth Dinas, Penparcau, had already pleaded guilty to burglary at an earlier hearing and was given a 12-month community order with 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work.

Murrell appeared before magistrates on Wednesday, 20 November, and pleaded guilty to burglary.

Prosecutor Rhian Jones said a staff member had seen Jennings in a room that was supposed to be unoccupied and had gone to speak to another member of staff. They saw Murrell behind a counter and trying to open a till. Ms Jones said he was also seen to have keys to a laundry room at the hotel.

The staff member thought Murrell seemed drunk and he claimed he had been trying to get a drink, but became abusive to the staff member when he was asked to leave.

Murrell eventually left and it was discovered sets of keys were missing, and one guest reported an iPad stolen from his room.

CCTV footage showed the two men entering and going upstairs before Murrell went downstairs and was caught behind the counter.

Following his arrest, keys were found in Murrell’s room, and Ms Jones said the iPad was retrieved following Jennings’ arrest.

Defence solicitor Katy Hanson said Murrell denied he had been involved in stealing the iPad, but accepted that he had been involved and had taken keys.

She said that at the time Murrell was battling with a string of issues, including drug use, but had now got assistance from agencies and was due to start a painting and decorating course.

Ms Hanson said: “He has positive things to look forward to in terms of the future.”

Earlier this year Murrell had gone to prison after he was convicted of assaulting an emergency worker. Magistrates heard from probation officer Julian Davies that Murrell had “worked hard” to address his issues and was working with the probation service.

Murrell was given a 12-month community order with 16 rehabilitation activity requirement days, and will also be subject to a six-week curfew between 7pm and 7am. He must pay costs of £170.