Poppy box thief jailed for a week

David Archer, 51, from Rhyl, appeared before Llandudno magistrates, 20 minutes before the UK held a two-minute silence for the fallen on Saturday.

The court heard the theft was Archer's 290th offence and it was not the first time a charity had been the victim.

Archer, said to have been drinking and not able to remember much of the incident, pleaded guilty to theft.

Peter Jones, prosecuting, said CCTV footage showed Archer target the box on the counter at the NatWest bank on 3 November.

Mr Jones said it was not known how much was inside.

Defence solicitor David Jones said Archer had been drinking and could not remember much of what happened, and he bitterly regretted the theft.

From the dock, Archer said: "It was a stupid act, I apologise.

"I wish I could turn back the clock."

But court chairwoman Anne Roberts said the theft was a "despicable offence" and Archer's previous offending aggravated the situation.