A WORCESTER man stole pipes and risked a gas explosion to help his friend fund his heroin addiction.

Jason Witchard and a man, who was not named in court, pulled pipes off the side of two Worcester businesses, allowing gas to escape.

But Witchard, of Autumn Terrace, Worcester, said he only did it because he was helping his friend with his drug addiction by stealing and then selling the pipes so he could buy heroin.

Witchard pleaded guilty to two counts of stealing copper piping and one of selling it on when he appeared before magistrates in Worcester.

Matt Dodson, prosecuting, said the two had been caught on CCTV pulling and twisting the piping off the walls of Mintro and AA Global Services, both in Blockhouse Close, Worcester.

The pair – who became friends in prison – sold the 12kg of piping for £44.

About £150 of gas escaped from both properties and emergency repairs had to be carried out because of the strong smell of gas.

Witchard, aged 30, was identified and arrested, but said to police his actions had been motivated by a desire to help his friend out.

Mark Lister, defending, said his client – who hasa history of theft, but had not been in court for two years – was “foolish” to get involved.

“Clearly the aggravating factor of this case is the fact the gas was allowed to escape,” said Mr Lister.

“I think that’s rather less serious than might first appear.”

He said the fact that the gas was escaping into the atmosphere and not into a confined space meant the risk of an explosion was all the less.

Magistrates ordered a full pre-sentence report.

Witchard will next appear at Worcester Magistrates Court on Wednesday, October 20.