A DIM-WITTED Gwendraeth Valley thief thought he had struck lucky when he discovered an unlocked car containing an iPod and a mobile phone.

Dylan David May, of 39 Rhos Newydd in Tumble, decided to take the music player, valued at £100, but opted to leave the phone behind after finding the items in an unlocked Volvo V50 parked on a driveway outside a property at Ravelston Court during the early hours of May 13.

However, the 18-year-old could not resist using the phone to call his pals in Scotland before returning the mobile to the glove compartment and leaving.

Dennis Davies, prosecuting, told Llanelli court how police simply called the number stored in the phone and asked who had previously called.

May’s pals quickly gave him up.“ He used the phone to call his friends in Scotland and that is how the police were able to trace him,” said Mr Davies.

In interview, jobless May claimed he had intended to return the iPod despite still having it in his possession at the time of his arrest some two weeks after the theft.

Aled Owen, defending, said the theft was “an impulsive act,” adding that May had “realised the vehicle was unlocked by chance when he went past”.

“He does say he would have returned the iPod, but after two weeks it is too much to say he would have. Having had it for so long it can only be considered theft.”

Mr Owen told magistrates that May had become increasingly depressed by his inability to find work.

“He is trying and trying to get something to give himself a more positive future but he does realise that this impulsive act is not going to help.”

May admitted theft.

Magistrates fined him £75 and ordered he pay £60 court costs and a further £15 legal surcharge.

The iPod was returned to its owner.