A YOUNG burglar has been spared time in custody after he admitted his "opportunistic" theft of an expensive computer.

Nial Ferry, of Berwick road in Ellesmere Port, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old admitted that on December 2, he entered the premises of a business named Legal Base in Charles Street, Wrexham, and stole an iMac computer worth £1,200.

Rhian Jackson, prosecuting, told the court that the firm provides translation and interpretation services.

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As the owner of the business went to close up at the end of the day, she said, a client left and the owner believed the door had closed and automatically locked.

But it hadn't. It was left "unsecure."

Chester and District Standard: A North Wales Police JacketA North Wales Police Jacket (Image: Archive)

Later that day, CCTV cameras caught Ferry entering through the door and trying to remove cables from an iMac computer. 

Initially he couldn't, but then he returned and pulled it up over the desk and leaves with it under his arm.

He was arrested but gave no comment.

Lorraine McClure, defending, told the court the burglary had been "opportunistic" and hadn't involved weapons or targeting of a victim.

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"He knows it was wrong," she said, adding that his motivation had arisen from his circumstances, with his living on the streets at the time.

District Judge Gwyn Jones said the loss of such a valuable computer to a company can be "devastating" and can have a significant impact on the running of the business.

He handed down an 18 week term at a young offenders institute, but suspended it for 12 months.

Ferry must undertake 180 hours of unpaid work and pay compensation of £1,200, as well as £85 costs.