A Gwendraeth valley thief dumped £2,000 worth of luxury goods he had stolen from a parked car just yards from the scene of the crime.

Lee John De Fillipo, of Flat 2, Star Buildings in Bethesda Road, admitted he had smashed his way into a vehicle belonging to Rosetta Strasdon and taken a Chanel handbag and a Prada purse on August 19 — just two days before was due to appear in court on a shoplifting charge .

District Judge David Parsons, sitting at Llanelli court, was told how the 32-year-old then left the stolen items on a lawn nearby.

Prosecutor Lisa Jones described how Ms Strasdon was woken in the night by the sound of breaking glass.

“She heard a smash and looked out of her bedroom window,” said Ms Jones.

“She saw the defendant – who she recognised – cycling away.”

Ms Jones described how the stolen items were found the following day.

“The bag had been in the car overnight with the purse in it,” she said.

“It was recovered but everything was ruined because it had been soaked by the rain.”

She told the court how De Fillipo – who had 17 previous theft convictions – was due to appear in court on August 21 to face a charge of shop theft, which had been committed on August 4.

David Elvy, defending, said: “A few days after this offence he received a suspended jail sentence at this court.”

Mr Elvy said De Fillipo was currently attending a residential rehabilitation centre in Birmingham to address his offending.

“He has taken a big step to try to put his offending ways behind him,” Mr Elvy told the court.

Having considered De Fillipo’s current situation, District Judge Parsons agreed to allow him to remain at the centre.

“For the theft of the handbag you will be sent to prison, but that sentence will be suspended,” the District Judge told him.

“These were high-value good and you committed this offence only weeks after the shoplifting offence and therefore you would have been on bail pending criminal proceedings.

“You also have numerous previous convictions for theft which go against you.”

De Fillipo was sentenced to 16 weeks jail, suspended for 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a further £80 victim surcharge with payment suspended for three months during his time at the rehabilitation centre where he is not permitted to claim any benefits or earn any income.