A MAN who destroyed a gas pipe after his mental health deteriorated is to be sentenced.

David Jones, of High Street in Bagillt, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Friday.

The 47-year-old admitted one offence of criminal damage being reckless as to whether life was endangered, in that in Flintshire on May 23 last year, he destroyed a main gas pipe belonging to Wales and West Utilities.

Oliver King, defending, told the court probation officers had asked for time in order for the defendant to be assessed for a mental health treatment requirement.

Judge Nicola Saffman acknowledged that "there was a clear deterioration" in the defendant's mental health leading up to the offence.

Mr King told the court: "He seems to have really turned things around since this happened - he has a new job as a chef in a restaurant in Chester.

"He is a classically trained French chef.

"Lockdown hit, he lost his marriage and this [offence] is a snapshot of the lowest point."

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Judge Saffman told the defendant: "Mr Jones, thank you for your guilty plea - I understand how you came to be in the situation for found yourself in.

"We need to make sure you don't end up in that situation again, so a mental health treatment requirement is being considered.

"The custody threshold has been crossed and any sentence will be suspended at the very best, but you'll need to comply with the probation service."

Judge Saffman adjourned the sentence to September 24.