A PROLIFIC thief was caught at a Bolton hotel attempting to steal cash from a till.

Wigan Magistrates’ Court heard how Christian Condron was at the Travelodge on River Street on June 2 this year when he sneaked into a staff-only area of the building.

Condron, aged 47, had been drinking with friends in the hotel and had taken drugs.

His friends told him to get a drink but he went downstairs to find an empty bar.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, told the court that, at 1am, a receptionist was sat in her office when she heard a bang.

“It was from an area which was only for staff and it made her wonder what was going on as she was the only staff member in the building,” said Ms Akhtar.

“She locked the door to the office and started looking at the CCTV.”

The receptionist saw a man going through a door and heading towards a till before trying to open it.

“She believes he was trying to see if there was money inside,” said Ms Akhtar.

Police were alerted and they and found Condron, who ducked and was trying to evade detection.

Condron, of Brookdale Close, Bolton, pleaded guilty to trespass with intent to steal.

The court heard that he has 35 previous convictions for offences including burglary, thefts and dishonesty.

Adam Whittaker, defending, stressed that Condron had not broken into the hotel.

“He has a friend staying there, he was invited there,” he said “He was drinking with the couple, he has taken some drugs. The friends say ‘go downstairs for an hour, let us have some alone time’.”

Mr Whittaker added that Condron gave up without a struggle when police arrived.

Magistrates John Fisher fined Condron £80 and sentenced him to a 12-month community order which includes 20 days of rehabilitation activities,