A BURGLAR with an "appalling" criminal record has been jailed after he admitted targeting a small business in a "mean" break-in.

Jonathan Edwards, of Castle Hill in Denbigh, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentence on Tuesday.

The 47-year-old had previously admitted that on March 17 last year, he entered Alison's Alterations in Denbigh as a trespasser and stole a steam iron, as well as a Regatta coat, worth £280.

On Tuesday he also admitted that he failed to attend court in December to be sentenced for the burglary.

Anna Price, prosecuting, told the court that in the early hours of the morning, under the influence of alcohol, Edwards smashed the shop window and climbed inside.

He was in the premises for five minutes, handing items out to a second male before leaving.

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The owner of the business was informed of the burglary later that morning and arrived to find that in addition to her window, the blinds had been damaged, the till drawer had been pulled out (but had not contained money), a steam iron press was missing and some coats belonging to customers were also missing.

Police tracked him down to an address after finding and matching his blood on the window.

At the address, officers also found the iron and one of the stolen coats.

In interview he made admissions and was "very apologetic" - claiming he felt his drink may have been spiked prior to the offence.

Ms Price said the business owner had been left with hundreds of pounds worth of damages and replacements to pay for and lost a full day's business.

The court heard Edwards had a criminal record comprising 47 convictions for 125 offences; 70 of which are theft and related matters, and 20 of which are burglary or attempt burglary offences.

Simon Mintz, defending, conceded his client had an "appalling record," and that his latest offence had been "mean," but he said there was still "scope for rehabilitation."

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He cited the defendant's compliance with a previous court order, explaining he "responded mainly positively."

But Judge Niclas Parry told Edwards that in his view, there was no prospect that he'd cooperate with such an order at the present time.

He said: "People work hard to make little money. They close, and town centres are impoverished; customers are deprived of a service.

"It's tough out there for small retailers, and people like you come along and smash the window, go in and simply take anything you can get your hands on.

"This lady has been put to a cost of hundreds of pounds and she's lost business.

"She shouldn't have to put up with that."

Judge Parry handed down an eight month sentence to be served immediately, with a consecutive seven day sentence to reflect his non-attendance at his initial sentencing date.