Homeless Gwent man hid screwdriver down his trousers (From South Wales Argus)

Homeless Gwent man hid screwdriver down his trousers

9:20am Saturday 5th January 2013 in News By Emma Mackintosh

A HOMELESS Gwent man who hid a screwdriver down his trousers has been released from custody.

34-year-old Alun Barnes was arrested outside Asda supermarket in Pill, Newport, on November 10 last year and when searched by police was found with a screwdriver tucked in his trouser waistband and partly concealed between his buttocks.

He was arrested after a police officer heard Barnes' name mentioned on police radio and recognised him in connection with theft from a vehicle in July.

Appearing at Caerphilly Magistrates Court on Thursday, Barnes pleaded guilty to going equipped for theft.

Joseph Edwards, prosecuting, said Barnes told police he had a number of items about his person but did not reveal the location of the screwdriver.

Barnes told police he was homeless after being released from prison and carried the screwdriver to use it to enter buildings to sleep there.

Rod Young, mitigating, said Barnes admitted that if the opportunity had arisen he may have used the screwdriver for theft.

Barnes had received a 12-month conditional discharge for theft from a vehicle, which he admitted took place on July 31, 2012, at a previous hearing.

Lady Diana Hayman-Joyce, chair of the bench, said Barnes had "an appalling record of dishonesty" and he was sentenced to 27 days' custody.

He has already served 54 days on remand so was released.