A Milford Haven father stole and sold his son’s Xbox while ‘desperate for food’.

The man, who cannot be named, pleaded guilty to theft when he appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday, May 14.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, said the son bought the Xbox limited edition console and controller, worth £305, with his own money in July, 2018.

When he realised the items were missing his father told him they had been loaned to friends, but the son made enquiries and found that they had in fact been sold.

When questioned by police the man said he did not have enough money to live on at the time and stated: “Desperate times call for desperate measures.”

Mark Layton, defending, said the man made full and frank admissions when questioned by police, but had no money to repay his son.

“He very much regrets the commission of this offence. He says he was desperate. Short of money and short of food, he sold it.”

“He found himself in a very difficult financial situation.

“It is something he bitterly regrets and he understands he damaged the relationship with his son.”

Magistrates fined the man £120 and ordered him to pay £305 compensation to his son.

He will also pay £85 costs and a £30 surcharge.