A THIEF from Worcester who stole tens of thousands of pounds worth of precious metals from a recycling centre has been warned he faces a prison sentence.

Thomas Nightingale, 20, of Dilmore Avenue, Worcester and Shaun Hyde, 36, of Lawfred Avenue, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, both pleaded guilty at Gloucester Crown Court on Thursday to stealing 21 bags of precious metal powder valued between £23,000 and £55,000 from BASF Metal Recycling Ltd of Forest Vale Industrial Estate, Cinderford on October 18 this year.

Prosecutor, Janine Wood, told Judge Ian Lawrie QC: “CCTV shows breaking in from the fence. Security come along, they leave, and then they come back later."

Mrs Wood said the offence took place 'over a period of hours with four people involved'.

The two other men are still at large, the court heard.

They are alleged to be Kieran Davenport of 21, of Northwick Road, Evesham, and another man called Connor Maguire, of whom no further details were given at court.

“They did not manage to leave with the items they put into sacks,” the prosecutor added.

“Mr Smallwood, site manager, said they [BASF] receive automotive material, mill it down for precious metals, and then send to USA for further refining. Each 'super sized bag' is worth £60-£70,000.”

Mrs Wood added: “The police were contacted as they had been spotted on the cameras, when they attended the intruders had moved off. At 4am, the police returned to conduct patrols. The saw a Vauxhall Zafira near the site. It was insecure and the engine was warm.”

That vehicle was registered to Mr Hyde, the court heard.

At 5.35am the police saw a black Audi speed past them which then parked level with the Zafira.

“Three men came out and moved to the Zafira,” Mrs Wood said, “but ran off when they saw the police.

“At 7am a PCSO saw a black Audi in the area,” the prosecutor continued. “It was stopped in Cinderford.

“Mr Hyde was driver, Nightingale was the passenger, both appeared dirty. They were arrested. At 7.35am PCSO Pritchard saw two other males acting suspiciously looking in car windows in a residential area near BASF site."

These men are believed to be Maguire and Davenport.

The court heard the Audi belonged to Mr Hyde.

“They are looking at custody,” the judge said.

The case against both men was adjourned until January 30.