A man has admitted trying to steal the �2m North Wales Police helicopter - but it was accepted that he could never have got the aircraft off the ground.

Gareth Ieuan Roberts, 30, pleaded guilty to the attempted theft of the Eurocopter EC-135 at the Police Air Support Unit in Bodelwyddan last October.

The case against Roberts of Greenbank Road, Hightown, Wrexham, was adjourned at Mold Crown Court for a pre-sentence report.

He was remanded in custody but the judge hinted that he would possibly escape a custodial sentence

Judge Steven Clarke told the court that it was a bizzare case for Roberts had never flown an aircraft in his life.

Caught at the controls

The judge added that a psychiatric report was very helpful in giving the background to the case.

The court heard that Roberts was caught at the controls of the helicopter.

Prosecuting barrister, Owen Edwards, said Roberts had started operating some of the aircraft's functions - but it was accepted that his knowledge of electrical engineering would not have been sufficient to take off.

Defending barrister, Keith Sutton, said his client pleaded guilty on the basis that he would not have been able to get the helicopter off the ground.

It an unusual offence and an unusual set of circumstances, Mr Sutton added.

Roberts will be sentenced at Chester Crown Court on 4 February