A MAN from Rhyl who stole a drill from a hotel in Flintshire has been jailed.

Mark Oswell, 42, of Clwyd Street, was sentenced to a year’s imprisonment at Caernarfon Crown Court today (April 11).

He had previously admitted a charge of burglary.

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Prosecuting, Laura Knightly told the court that, in August 2023, Oswell was seen on closed circuit television (CCTV) at the Lletty Hotel, Mostyn.

Oswell was captured on CCTV entering the building three times; on the last occasion, shortly before 2.30pm, he was carrying a piece of clothing over his shoulder.

He was then picking up a drill from a work bench, wrapping it under the item of clothing he was carrying, before leaving in the direction of Flint.

The drill has never been found, but police were contacted after it was noticed to be missing; Oswell was later identified following a review of the CCTV footage.

Oswell said he was “in a bad place with alcohol” at the time, adding that he probably had taken the drill but could not remember it, and that he “probably left it outside the pub, knowing my luck”.

In a statement, the worker who used the drill said the incident caused him “significant stress”, adding that he spent his own money replacing it, and had to refuse work due to losing it.

Defending Oswell, who had 27 previous convictions for 55 offences, Jemma Gordon said that the stolen property was of “relatively low value”.

Ms Gordon added that Oswell’s “opportunistic” offence had caused “limited damage and disturbance”.

She said he accepts he has a number of issues to address, including his alcoholism.

Sentencing, Judge Nicola Saffman told Oswell: “The impact upon the owner of the drill was significant. That was a tool of his trade.

“It was, clearly, an impulsive act on your part.”