A 34-year-old man has appeared before magistrates to admit his part in the theft of a £9,300 Land Rover Defender from an Ammanford car sales garage.

Lee Derek Thomson, of Birch Grove in Merthyr Tydfil, pleaded guilty to a charge of theft of a motor vehicle from Tout’s Garage in Pontaman at Llanelli magistrates court.

Thomson admitted he was part of a three-man team that stole the vehicle on January 23.

Vaughan Prichard Jones, prosecuting, told the court: “His part was that he drove the two other men to the garage in Ammanford knowing they were going there to steal the Land Rover.

“He drove them from his home address to the garage.

“He did not actually take the stolen vehicle himself but he was part of the gang in that he drove the two who did steal it to the location.”

Mr Prichard Jones said the vehicle had never been recovered.

Due to the seriousness of the offence and the likely compensation sums involved, Mr Prichard Jones urged magistrates to send Thomson to the crown court for sentence.

Defence solicitor Clare Sherwood offered no representations.

Magistrates told Thomason: “We feel this offence is so serious that it merits a greater punishment than we are able to impose in this court.”

Thomas was sent to Swansea Crown Court where he will appear on May 9 for sentence.