Billy Pike pleaded guilty to two thefts from cars - and asked for another five to taken into account
A MAN broke into seven cars in one night stealing a haul of items from CDs to a drum kit, a court has heard.
Billy Pike was arrested minutes after the last incident after police circulated a description from a witness — and was found with a glass hammer.
Swansea Magistrates' Court heard that a search of his house uncovered the stolen items which included car wheel nuts, personal documents, a bicycle pump, a climbing harness and shoes, CDs, a car stereo — and a set of drums.
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Pike, of Gwydr Crescent, Uplands, Swansea, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft when he appeared before justices, and asked for another five to be taken into account.
He also admitted that the offences had put him in breach of a 12-month conditional discharge for drug possession and public order matters.
All the thefts happened in the Uplands and Brynmill areas of the city in the space of a couple of hours on January 18, with Pike smashing his way into vehicles parked on Rhyddings Terrace, Guildhall Road, St Alban's Road, Oakwood Road, and two on Glanbrydan Avenue.
Julie Sullivan, prosecuting, told the court that a witness saw Pike breaking into the car on Guildhall Road and called police with a description of what he was wearing.
Police officers on patrol in Uplands later saw a man matching his description on Gwydr Avenue and as they approach him he was seen to drop something — which turned out to be glass hammer.
A probation report into the 23-year-old said he had been "drinking too much and mixing with the wrong crowd" since the break-up of a relationship, and on the night in question had bee out drinking with friends.
The court heard Pike has seven previous convictions for eight offences.
Dan Griffiths, for Pike, said the thefts were "out of character" for his client. He added that the defendant was on prescription Valium but on the night in question had taken more than he should, and had consumed alcohol on top.
Pike was given a 12 months community order with a rehabilitation requirement, and made the subject of an 8pm to 6am curfew for the next eight weeks. He must also pay £100 compensation to each of the owners of the cars he pleaded guilty to breaking into.
Chairman of the bench, Roger Smith, told Pike: "Be sensible — we have given you a chance, don't blow it."
Read more: http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Man-breaks-seven-cars-night-steals-drum-kit/story-28680211-detail/story.html#ixzz3zZs2dj1c
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