A WREXHAM man who embarked on a "raft of offending" after days of drug and alcohol abuse has been locked up.

Ryan Moore, of New Hall Road in Ruabon, appeared for sentence at Mold Crown Court on Friday.

The 32-year-old had previously admitted a raft of offences, including: making threats with a blade, burglary, aggravated vehicle taking, driving whilst disqualified, possession of a class B drug, possession of a weapon and criminal damage - all of which happened in Wrexham over the course of a single day.

He was also to be sentenced for driving without insurance, failing to stop after an accident and failing to provide a specimen.

Emmalyne Downing, prosecuting, told the court that on September 4 last year, Moore was at his girlfriend's home in Wrexham.

Christine Hoxworth, who lives next door, went over after hearing a commotion and knocked on the front door.

The defendant answered, holding an eight-inch knife, and became abusive.

He pointed the blade at her, following which she called the police.

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Later that day, a Wrexham resident named Julia Wainwright returned to her home and put her car keys on the sideboard by the porch.

Around an hour and a quarter later, police knocked on her door to ask about her car.

She believed it was on her drive - but it had been taken, as had the keys on her sideboard.

The vehicle was found, crashed into bushes and stuck, a short distance away.

Bystanders told police the driver appeared intoxicated and had got out of the vehicle wearing socks but no shoes, before walking away down the road.

Another incident was reported to the police involving a man attempting to get into a house not far away.

Officers attended the scene and found the defendant asleep in a garden.

The Leader: Ryan Moore (NWP)Ryan Moore (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police)When he was arrested and searched, cannabis and a knuckleduster were found in his pocket.

In the initial test, he blew 91 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the limit being 35.

But he failed to give the second sample, which was required to record his evidential reading.

When he was put in a cell, he spat on the wall - which gave rise to the criminal damage charge.

The court heard Moore had 33 convictions for 67 offences, with two previous burglaries, 25 thefts and eight offences against the person among them.

"It's a considerable record," Ms Downing said.

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Nicholas Williams, defending, said his client was "under no illusion" as to the serious position he was in.

Nevertheless, Mr Williams implored the court to consider drawing back from immediate custody.

"It's apparent from the [facts] and the CCTV that he was clearly exhibiting bizarre behaviour on the day.

"He accepts he'd been taking a number of illicit substances for days prior to this - not least crack cocaine and alcohol.

"That, it seems, culminated as a result of the loss of his unborn daughter and then the breakup in his relationship with her mother.

"It seems the defendant has once again chosen to deal with a stressful situation by reverting to drink and drugs to self-medicate.

"He thinks he was having some kind of mental breakdown."

Mr Williams said his client had expressed motivation to address his drug problems.

But Judge Rhys Rowlands said the defendant's words had a "hollow" ring, given he'd been offered a drug rehabilitation requirement before and not complied.

The Judge said to Mr Williams: "I know what he's telling you - and he may be sincere.

"But the trouble is, he's said exactly the same thing to courts in the past."

Turning to the defendant, Judge Rowlands said: "You're in your early 30s with what is fast becoming an extensive, depressing record committed over the years.

"Plainly in view of the raft of offending, there's no realistic prospect of rehabilitation at present.

"There has to be a custodial sentence, and it will have to be immediate."

All in all, the Judge handed down a total sentence of three years imprisonment.

A 30 month driving ban was also imposed, as was a three year restraining order.