A Saundersfoot man capable of "being deeply dishonest" received a suspended prison sentence on Wednesday for stealing a boat and breaking into a house.

Thirty-four-year-old Jamie David Christopher returned the boat before he was arrested after getting cold feet.

Christopher, formerly of Manorbier, but now of Saundersfoot, appeared before Judge John Diehl at Swansea crown court for sentencing.

He was jailed for nine months, suspended for 18 months, placed under supervision for 18 months and ordered to attend a thinking skills programme.

The court had heard how he stole a 10-foot long Avon rigid inflatable and a trailer from a boat yard at Lydstep beach.

The inflatable belonged to Roger Mann, a holidaymaker from Berkshire, who had a caravan at Lydstep.

He kept the boat on a trailer in a compound at the caravan site and last saw it in May, 2009. When he went to the compound on July 25 he noticed it was missing.

Mr. Mann told police about the theft the following day and they began to make enquiries. CCTV footage of the compound showed a van leaving with the trailer and boat in tow on July 19.

Christopher was traced to where he worked, and arrested. But, by then, the boat and trailer had been returned to the compound.

Christopher claimed he knew a holidaymaker by the nickname Skinny who had asked him to carry out some minor repairs to his boat as a favour.

He said he collected the boat and towed it to Vicarage Fields where he undertook the repairs before delivering it back to the compound.

Christopher said he did not know Skinny's full name or how to get in contact with him. But a jury convicted him of theft.

Meanwhile, Christopher had been convicted of stealing two television sets worth £1,398 after breaking into a house. The sets were never recovered.

Carina Hughes, his barrister, said he had lost his job with Narberth Tyres and was a full-time carer.

Judge John Diehl said Christopher had previous convictions for handling stolen goods and perjury.

"You can be deeply dishonest," said the judge.

"Take your chance. You might not get another," he added.