A man has admitted stealing or attempting to steal 37 post boxes worth more than £25,000.

Mark Crowther, 37, of Linden Avenue, Chirk, stole 33 boxes and attempted to steal another four across Wrexham, Flintshire and Shropshire, belonging to the Royal Mail.

The crimes happened over a three-year period between 2012 and 2014.

Crowther appeared in the dock at Mold Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing this morning.

He had indicated not guilty pleas at Wrexham Magistrates’ Court last month but entered guilty pleas to all matters today.

Judge Niclas Parry rebailed him to return for sentence on December 22 and ordered a pre-sentence report from the probation service.

“I would be lying if I told you to do anything other than to prepare yourself for a custodial sentence,” he said.

All sentencing options would remain open.

The case was not opened during today’s brief hearing.

The defendant stole post boxes from Whitehurst, Wynnstay, Knolton Bryn, Overton Station, Forest Road, Mount Pleasant, Chirk Station, Bersham, Bryn Common, Red Hall Lane, Althrey, Ninth Avenue, Cock Bank, Llangar, Bryn Villa, Bowling Bank, Holly Bush Lane, Eglwys and Wynstay Road in Wrexham..

In Shropshire Crowther stole post boxes from Haughton in Shrewsbury, Sodylt in Ellesmere, Chequer Box in Long Waste, Whitchurch,; and Llwyn Road, Park Hall, Bronygarth and the Old Racecourse in Oswestry.

Crowther also struck in Flintshire and stole a post box from Cadole near Mold.

The attempted thefts were at Forest Road, Croes, Wynnstay and Bryn Place - all in Wrexham.