EMERGENCY services were called after a burglar raided an empty council flat and ripped out the copper gas and heating piping.

Gary Patterson, of Ffynnon Las in Ammanford, appeared at Swansea Crown Court charged with burglary dwelling and theft.

Prosecutor Craig Jones told the court the previous occupant had moved out of the flat on Granby Close in Llanelli and had left the property in “good condition”.

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The police attended the flat on April 18 to check on the occupant, but whilst there they encountered the defendant.

“He claimed falsely he had been staying at the property,” Mr Jones said. The police asked him to leave and he replied that he needed 20 minutes to gather his things.

Patterson then left the flat via a back window.

“Extensive damage was caused to the gas and water systems with copper piping missing,” Mr Jones said.

“A smell of gas and hissing noise was noticed,”

As a result of the damage caused, the emergency services and council staff were called.

Patterson was found with a bag full of copper piping heading to the Trostre area.

The defendant had what Mr Jones described as “an extensive criminal history” – with the court hearing that he had 46 previous convictions for 91 offences.

He admitted the offence last month at Swansea Crown Court.

Kate Williams, in mitigation, told the court: “He’s 37 now and if he doesn’t change his ways he is going to have repeated custodial sentences. He knows that.

“It’s not your typical dwelling burglary. The property was targeted because it was believed to be unoccupied.”

Ms Williams said the defendant accepted that the damage he caused did pose a risk to others.

Sentencing Patterson, Judge Geraint Walters said his offending “could have endangered absolutely anybody, whether within that property or near it”.

The defendant was sentenced to a total of 876 days in prison.