A THIEF who stole goods worth £1,000 from a business was slammed by a judge as being “very selfish and a little bit evil’ for taking advantage of the coronavirus crisis.

Nathan James Gough, 33, of Western Avenue, Bulwark, Chepstow, took two industrial trolleys from the town’s HJ Weir Engineering Co Ltd.

Cardiff Magistrates’ Court heard how he made off with them on April 23.

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This offence put him in breach of a 12-month conditional discharge for failing to attend a drug test.

Gough pleaded guilty to both charges.

Nathan Fear, prosecuting, said the defendant was “detained a short distance away” from HJ Weir Engineering Co Ltd.

Judge Stephen Harmes told Gough: Judge Stephen Harmes: “You took advantage of them during the lockdown. This was very selfish and a little bit evil.”

The court heard how the defendant had previous convictions for burglary and shoplifting.

Judge Harmes jailed Gough for 16 weeks, suspended for 12 months.

The defendant will be subject to an electronically monitored curfew for three months between 8pm and 6am.

He must also pay a £128 victim surcharge and £85 costs.