The theft of a Wendy house has resulted in a 39-year-old man of no fixed abode receiving an 18 weeks suspended prison sentence.

Ben Lynch stole the £1,500 Wendy house from Highfield Lane Day Nursery on Puddingstone Drive, St Albanson Saturday, October 14.

Lynch pleaded guilty to the offence and a district judge imposed the suspended sentence at Hatfield magistrates court.

He also has to complete drug rehabilitation, but does not have to pay any costs or compensation as he has no means.

Lynch was also sentenced to six weeks in prison suspended for a year for several instances in which he stole meat worth a total £194 from Welwyn Garden City Co-Op.

The suspended sentence for the Co-Op thefts will be served consecutively with the sentence for stealing the Wendy house, meaning Lynch will serve 24 weeks if he offends in the next year.