TWO men who started a business collecting scrap metal because they didn’t want to rely on benefits have pleaded guilty to theft.

Rocky Smith and Richard Rusher admitted stealing metal from a farm in Evesham on September 28.

Worcester Magistrates Court was told that the metal items included gates, fencing, cattle herders and ring feeders.

Owner Martin Philips said the cost of the items was about £1,835. Smith, aged 25, of Peewit Road, Evesham, and Rusher, 22, of Caravan Site, Pinvin, pleaded guilty on the basis they didn’t take the ring feeders.

Sarah Stock, prosecuting, said there was CCTV footage which showed Smith’s van carrying all of the items reported missing.

When questioned by police, the pair said they had been driving around collecting scrap metal and thought the items had been abandoned.

It was all taken to a scrap metal dealer. Mark Sheward, defending, said: “These are two young men who don’t want to be reliant on the benefits system and decided to work together collecting scrap metal.

“Mr Smith’s criminal record prevents him from obtaining work elsewhere and Mr Rusher is in a similar position.

"On the day in question they were out working, they saw some scrap laid up next to a hedge in a country lane. They have decided to take it as they thought it was abandoned.

“Clearly they should have made some enquiries with the farmer.

“They do not accept stealing the two large feeders.”

Both men will reappear for sentencing on Thursday, October 27, by which time the CCTV footage will be obtained in a bid to settle the dispute over the ring feeders.

In the meantime, Smith must meet with the probation service to prepare a pre-sentence report.

Probation will give a verbal report on that date to say how well Rusher is complying with an existing community order.