A man who stole a mobile phone off a woman who was serving him cigarettes at the time was being "opportunistic", a court heard yesterday (Tuesday).

Luke Brummitt, aged 31, pleaded guilty to a charge of theft at Haverfordwest magistrates court.

Prosecutor Ellie Morgan said a worker at the Spa store in Pennar contacted police after noticing her phone was missing.

"The CCTV showed the defendant order some tobacco, then hand it back and ask for a smaller pack.

"While the complainant's back was turned he reached over and took the phone."

Ms Morgan said Brummit later returned to the store to buy a £5 phone top up voucher, and after being arrested told police: "It was a stupid thing to do. I was being opportunistic."

Defence lawyer Mark Layton said both the phone and sim card had been returned to the owner. He added his client returned to the store to buy a top up voucher for his girlfriend's sister, and not for the phone he had stolen.

"He made full admissions and the police interview was over within 15 minutes."

Magistrates heard how Brummit, of Treginnis Hill flats in Pennar, Pembroke Dock, was sentenced to a 12 month community order for a different matter on April 19th.

They chose to revoke that and re-sentence him to the same order from May 25th onwards.

He was also ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs.