DNA evidence led to capture of Plymouth cable thief
A BUNGLING thief who stole cable worth £1,400 cut himself and left DNA in his blood behind at a building site, a court heard.
And when police came knocking at the door of 22-year-old Gary White they found he had kept a receipt for the metal from a scrap dealer, Plymouth magistrates were told.
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White, of Apsley Road, Mutley, admitted theft of the metal worth £1,400 from the site belonging to Barratt Homes in North Prospect about May 15.
His solicitor said he sold the cable for scrap for just £50.
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Soo Jackaman-Hall, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said the site at The Hub was protected by a fence almost three metres high. The Hub is a site for new homes and community facilities on the site of the former North Prospect Community School.
She added builders had been preparing to bury the cable in the ground on May 16. But they found a length of metal had been hacked away.
Miss Jackaman-Hall said a small amount of blood was found on the remaining cable.
She added DNA was analysed and matched to White.
Miss Jackaman-Hall said police searched White's home and found an invoice for the cable from a scrap metal company. Graham Kinchin, for White, said he had only received £50 for the cable.
He added he had no drink nor drugs problems and the money went on child maintenance. Mr Kinchin said he had an infected finger which needed hospital treatment over several months and was also suffering from depression. White himself said he wanted to go back to college and "get a trade".
Magistrates gave White a 12-month community order under probation supervision. He must complete the service's Thinking Skills programme.
He was also ordered to pay Barratt Homes £1,400 in compensation to replace the cable.
Comments
by timplymouth
Friday, September 07 2012, 4:24PM
“The cable may have cost £1,400 but that does not mean that it contains £1,400 worth of metal. Scrap metal is melted down and made into something else so the original cost of the cable is meaningless to a scrap metal dealer.”
by josdave
Friday, September 07 2012, 4:13PM
“I also thought that the dealers were being looked at. Clearly this dealer needs to be investigated giving £50 for scrap worth £1,400.”
by CharlieDodd
Friday, September 07 2012, 3:53PM
“Article quote- 'theft of the metal worth £1,400...he sold it for scrap for just £50...he said he wanted to go back to college and get a trade..
Better study 'Profit and Loss Business Management ' instead mate”
by belly1234
Friday, September 07 2012, 2:43PM
“Let me guess this straight, he nicks £1400 of cable and sells it to a scrap dealer who offers him about 2.75% of its value. This implies that the dealer knows it is nicked and why he was able to offer such derisory amount to buy it, he should be prosecuted for handling stolen goods.
We very often read about the amount of metal thefts around the country ranging from road signs, to drain covers, to railway cabling, even hospital cabling endangering people's lives and here in Plymouth the theft of war memorial plaques to honour the dead. The apparent cost runs into millions of pounds and upsets lots of people. However, our magistrates see only fit to punish these crimes with a 12 month community order, £1400 compensation order (which will never be paid) and some TLC for his poorly finger. British justice is a marvel. ALthough in the words of a Teeside judge, it must have taken a lot of courage to go out and steal.”
by DoWhatNow
Friday, September 07 2012, 12:49PM
“And why isn't the scrap dealer also being prosecuted? I thought that there were new rules that had been introduced to make it harder for metal thieves to dispose of their stolen goods?”
by jaygeek1
Friday, September 07 2012, 12:40PM
“Nice one Trudie2010, no more need be said :)”
by trudie2010
Friday, September 07 2012, 10:40AM
“Di**head!”