A FATHER and son due to go on trial for stealing a pug dog from an Abergavenny woman have changed their pleas at the last minute.

Thomas Stokes, 47, and Martin Stokes, 23, were charged after a black pug was stolen from the home of Elizabeth Swain in Abergavenny on Monday, October 26 last year. She was also punched during the theft and sustained minor injuries.

Thomas Stokes, aged 47, of Chesterfield Road, Mansfield previously pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to steal and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

His son, Martin Stokes, aged 23, also of Chesterfield Road, Mansfield, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to steal and perverting the course of justice. Both were on conditional bail.

However, the pair changed their pleas after a four-hour delay to the trial starting at Cardiff Crown Court today.

Thomas Stokes pleaded guilty to a new charge of theft and changed his plea to guilty for the assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Elizabeth Swain. Martin Stokes pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.

In mitigation, for Thomas Stokes, Jeffrey Jones noted that his client’s last conviction was for shoplifting in 2013.

“He has one or two ailments, particularly a form of depression. I ask the court to consider a pre-sentence report for him if passing sentence," he said.

Martin Stokes’ barrister, Byron Broadstock, echoed the calls for an adjournment.

“His partner is expecting a third child in two weeks,” he said. “I would like the court to adjourn for a pre-sentence report.”

Judge Patrick Curran QC adjourned the case for sentencing on August 30 to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

“I now make it a condition of your bail in each of your cases that you cooperate with the probation service,” he said.

“Otherwise the bail conditions will be as they previously were.”