Drunken plans to steal a van and take it for a spin put a Saundersfoot man on the road to prison.

Andrew Lee Gibbs, Stammers Road, pleaded guilty to attempting to steal a vehicle when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday, May 8.

Sian Vaughan, prosecuting, told the court that a construction company left their Ford Transit flat-bed van parked and secured in Saundersfoot on April 19.

Police arrived at the scene after a report about banging coming from the vehicle, and Gibbs admitted attempting to steal it, adding that he would have taken it for a ‘spin’ if he had been able to, because he was depressed.

The bench heard that Gibbs, 40, had a previous drink-driving conviction and was subject to a 12 week suspended sentence.

Mark Layton, defending, stated that Gibbs immediately told officers he was ‘guilty as charged’ when arrested, and had caused some damage to the vehicle’s ignition.

“He just wanted to take it for a ride. His mum was in hospital and he was depressed. He could not apologise enough for his actions.”

Mr Layton added that Gibbs had been experiencing a ‘traumatic time’, as his father had recently died and his mother, who he was a carer for, had been admitted to a nursing home.

“He went out and drunk far too much and broke into this vehicle with a view to taking it for a ride. Part way through he came to his sense and walked away from the vehicle.”

Magistrates activated six weeks of Gibbs’ suspended prison sentence and added a further two weeks in custody.

He was also fined £40 and ordered to pay a £115 surcharge.