TWO men have been given suspended prison sentences for stealing tools from parked vehicles in Barmouth.

Dolgellau magistrates also confiscated the Volkswagen 02-registered vehicle that they used to travel from the Midlands to Barmouth on 27 November to commit the thefts.

Alexander Dillon, 25, of Avern Close, Tipton, West Midlands, and Ricky Wilson, 24, of Wrens Nest Road, Dudley, West Midlands both pleaded guilty to the theft of power tools belonging to Robert Steel and also to stealing power tools belonging to Paul Whitehouse.

Both the thefts were from parked vehicles, crown prosecutor Diane Williams, told the court.

Magistrates ordered reports from the court probation officer prior to sentencing.

The officer said that both defendants had drug and alcohol problems and were known to the probation service in their home areas.

The officer said that any attempts to stop the defendants re-offending would also have to combat the drink and drugs misuse, as that was the cause of their offending.

“Tackling their alcohol and drugs misuse should be the priority,” said the probation officer, adding that a suspended prison sentence with conditions would be the best solution.

The magistrates agreed and imposed an 18-week prison sentence suspended for two years on both defendants. The conditions imposed were that they both had to attend rehabilitation courses and thinking skill and alcohol and drugs misuse courses and carry out 120 hours each of unpaid work in their communities.

Both Dillon and Wilson were ordered to pay £300 each in compensation, court costs of £165 each.

The vehicle used in their crimes was confiscated.

A warrant of arrest without bail was issued for 38-year-old John Walter Meese Burton of Beaconsfield, Telford, who failed to appear in court for the same hearing.