A burglar who stole money from a charity box and other items from a sports shop has been locked up for a year.
Geno Anthony Maher admitted breaking into the DW Sports store and gym at the St David's retail park in Bangor on January 27.
He spent more than an hour in the store and caused damage worth £1,000 to a glass panel and a till.
The break-in caused the premises to be closed for several hours and the swimming lessons of more than 100 youngsters were postponed.
The 46-year-old, of Caernarfon Road, Bangor, appeared from custody at Caernarfon Crown Court.
The court heard staff were alerted by an alarm that sounded in the store at about 5.30am.
Jonathan Austin, prosecuting, said two members of staff went to the store, found nothing untoward outside, and went in to switch off the alarm and turn on the lights.
"It was then they saw a man walking about the cafe and gym area, which is on the ground floor of the store," said Mr Austin.
"He was wearing one of the store's distinctive red jackets. They suggested he leave and he approached them and told them they had better leave and call the police.
"This last comment unnerved the two women and they left and kept watch while waiting for police to attend. They saw him leave the store carrying a bag.
"Officers responded promptly and found a man who matched his description shortly afterwards. He shrugged off the officer and fled but he was brought to ground and arrested."
The bag he was carrying was thrown away, but was recovered and found to contain various items, including two iPads used to schedule gym sessions, a mobile phone and charger, a packet of crisps, a flapjack and some coins.
Mr Austin said Maher had two previous convictions for burglary, both in commercial premises, dating from 2016 and 2007.
In April 2017, Maher was jailed for 28 months for a Christmas Day assault on a friend.
Defence counsel Simon Rogers said Maher had made "some progress" in turning his life around following a previous jail term.
During the evening, Maher had been drinking alcohol and had taken tablets and this had impacted on his thinking, the barrister added.
Mr Rogers pointed out no violence had been used and no threats were made.
"It was not very sophisticated," he said.
"He had taken no equipment like a crowbar with him."
Jailing him for 12 months, Judge Huw Rees said: "You have a record you cannot be proud of and you committed this offence while on licence from a previous sentence."
After the hearing, Detective Sergeant Dafydd Curry said: “We always treat burglary seriously and the sentence serves as a reminder to those who want to commit such offences that, through proactive patrols or detailed investigation, we will do everything we can to bring you to justice."
