AN "IMMATURE" burglar has been ordered to pay back thousands of pounds after cameras caught his involvement in a school site burglary.

Leon Mitchell, of Sydney Street in Flint, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court for sentence on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old had previously admitted burglary at John Summers High School in Queensferry (now the site of Queensferry CP School), burglary of a shed in Connah's Quay and assault by beating, as well as failing to comply with the requirements of a community order and failing to answer bail.

Justin Espie, prosecuting, said the first offence chronologically was the Shotton school site burglary, in August last year.

CCTV caught males entering and forcing their way into the premises through the apex of a roof.

While inside they took high value items worth around £5,000 before exiting through a window by cutting and damaging a restrictor.

Mitchell was "clearly identified" on the CCTV footage, the court heard.

Then, in October, police were contacted by a Connah's Quay resident after her shed was broken into and multiple items were taken.

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They included two children's bikes, a petrol lawnmower and some hedge cutters.

The items were spotted, "clearly visible" in the defendant's back garden and were recovered.

Later that month, outside the North Wales Media Centre in Flint, Mitchell assaulted the proprietor, Michael Phillip, as he was closing up for the night.

The court heard while punching and kicking the man, who was on the ground, Mitchell said: "I'm going to stab you."

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Police found him hiding under a gazebo in a garden after the incident.

Ceri Lewis, defending, told the court: "He will concede, he's a very immature 18-year-old.

"All of this offending has taken place while he was under the influence of alcohol and due to peer pressure, while hanging round with people well known to the criminal justice system who were leading him astray."

She added her client had started drinking at 15, but his consumption had "escalated out of all control" during the covid-19 pandemic, when he lost five family members to the virus.

The teenager, who previously worked in roofing and landscaping, is hoping to go into cockling.

Kimberly Caruana, Chair of the Magistrates, told the defendant: "For a young man of your age, these offences are unenviable.

"We acknowledge your immaturity - but that's no excuse. You're still responsible for your behaviour.

"It's time to grow up."

The magistrates handed down a 36 week custodial sentence, but suspended it for 24 months.

Mitchell must complete 20 days of rehabilitation activity and will be subject to a three month curfew.

He was ordered to pay out £5,000 in compensation for the school burglary, £50 for the shed burglary and £100 to Michael Phillip.

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