Two men burgled a railway station café and a nearby tanning studio - after being dropped off by police to catch a train home.

They had dozens of offences on their records and had been released from police custody after two other burglaries at a Powys border garage and pub, Caernarfon Crown Court was told.

Callum James, aged 24, of Willington, Derby, was jailed for 44 months after pleading guilty to what a judge called a “burglary spree,” equipped with a crowbar.

Prosecuting counsel Andrew Green said he travelled to north Wales supposedly for a holiday but burgled a garage and a 15th century coaching inn at Mallwyd in September 2019.

Mr Green said tobacco worth £2,000 and cash were stolen at Mallwyd service station. The Brigands Inn was also raided.

James also admitted three break-ins at a business in Derby.

Judge Timothy Petts told James, “particularly despicably,” charity boxes had been targeted, and the theft of a wi-fi router caused the loss of thousands of pounds in hotel trade.

Defence barrister Ember Wong said James had been diagnosed with ADHD and learning difficulties and was “vulnerable.” The case was “a wake up call” for him and he wished to return to college and his career in construction.

Benjamin Hughes, aged 36, of Swadlincote, Derbyshire, was jailed for 58 weeks after admitting the railway station and tanning studio burglaries in Bangor, only. He had 107 offences on his record including for burglaries, the court heard.

Hughes’s counsel Brian Treadwell said he was arrested for offences but not charged with them. After being released by police, he arrived at Bangor railway station at 1am without money or a mobile phone, and committed the offences.

Hughes had served a three-year jail term which ended in August and was in Nottingham prison.