A 'career burglar' who stole sentimental items worth thousands of pounds has been jailed.

Paul Owen-Jones, of Council Street in Llay, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentence on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old had previously admitted two counts of burglary, one of converting criminal property and five of fraud.

David Mainstone, prosecuting, told the court that on April 3 last year, a couple living in Pontblyddyn left their home to go for a pub lunch.

When they returned home, they found the property had been burgled.

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The kitchen window had been smashed and the bedroom had been ransacked, with drawers opened and jewellery boxes left on the floor.

Among the items taken were watches, earrings, gold, a wedding ring, a pendant and more.

Police crime scene investigators attended and took a swab of blood, which was matched to the defendant.

The day after the Pontblyddyn burglary, Owen-Jones went to Martin Rees jewellers in Wrexham and after producing photo ID, he sold the items he'd taken.

Most of the items he took were never recovered as by the time the jewellers shop was spoken to by by police, they had been sold on - but the pendant was recovered.

On April 6, a property in Rossett was burgled by the defendant.

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When the occupant returned home, she found her kitchen window had been forced, her bank statements were on the living room floor, her safe had been opened and her bank card and pin had been stolen from within, as well as her laptop.

Some 40 empty jewellery boxes were also left at the scene - the value of their stolen contents coming to more than £20,000.

A short time after the Rossett burglary, Owen-Jones was caught on CCTV using the stolen bank card at Tesco in Sealand to withdraw £500.

He tried to take another £250, but the transaction was declined.

Then, at Argos in Sealand, he attempted to use the card to buy two items worth £249.99 - which was also declined.

Mr Mainstone told the court Owen-Jones had 25 previous convictions for 74 offences; 28 of which were for theft and 13 of which were for residential burglary.

Henry Hills, defending, told the court: "The best mitigation is that he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity - and made admissions to the police.

"He knows what he has done is wrong and apologises for his behaviour."

Mr Hills said his client is medicated for ADHD, but at the time of the burglaries he was not taking the mediction.

He continued: "That was his decision, and he was in a chaotic state.

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The Leader:

"He gave some assistance to the police which helped them to retrieve a limited amount of the stolen property."

Judge Niclas Parry told Owen-Jones: "One wonders when you will ever stop, and doubts whether you will.

"To call you a career burglar would be an understatement.

"The losses and distress caused were significant."

Judge Parry jailed the defendant for a total of four years and eight months.