Shock, disgust and pity were expressed by magistrates after a Tenby man admitted stealing cash from a children’s charity.

Andrew James Jones, 45, pleaded guilty to stealing £5.59 from Ty Hafan, when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Monday, September 18.

The court heard that Jones was spotted at Tenby’s Ty Hafan collection point, near St Marys Church, where people regularly throw money to donate to the children’s hospice, on Sunday at 1.45.

Megan Gilchrist, prosecuting, said: “The defendant stood with a blue brush sweeping money towards him, and put a handful of coins into his pocket.”

A passer-by told him to put the money back and he replied ‘oh man, I’m on the streets’, before returning some coins but not all.

Police were called and found Jones smelling strongly of alcohol and unsteady on his feet with £5.49 in loose change.

In interview Jones stated that he was an alcoholic and had been drinking cider, adding that he had the brush with him because he always cleaned up after himself, and had needed money to buy tobacco.

The court heard that money collected by the charity was used to support children with life-limiting illnesses.

Jonathan Webb, defending, told the bench that Jones wished to apologise to Ty Hafan and the court, and was ‘extremely embarrassed’ and ashamed of his actions.

Magistrates heard that Jones, who was homeless, had stayed out of trouble for a considerable amount of time. He had been drinking on the day in question, and had spent more than 22 hours in custody before his court appearance.

Mr Webb said: “He found himself short of money and for some inexplicable reason he saw the coins there and temptation got the better of him.”

He added: “He is gutted with himself.”

After hearing that all Jones’ seven children were in good health, the chairman of the bench suggested that he took a look at the work of Ty Hafan.

He said: “Have a look at the other side of the coin and the children who are not in good health.”

The chairman added: “We have had three different emotions: Shock, disgust, and pity that someone could be so desperate.”

Jones was sentenced to an 18 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £105 in court costs and charges.