A SCRAP metal dealer was warned by magistrates to make sure he conducted business legally after admitting stealing cable from a city supermarket building site.
Opportunist thief Michael Griffiths stole from a Droitwich Road construction site during the building of the Lidl supermarket in June last year, Worcester magistrates heard.
Melanie Winterflood, prosecuting, said the 21-year-old, of Fairmount Road, Worcester, entered the site as a trespasser and cut 60 metres of copper armoured cable worth £60 to the Prince construction firm.
The prosecutor said, while cutting the cable off, Griffiths cut himself and left blood which detectives later traced to him by matching his DNA.
Miss Winterflood added Griffiths had one previous conviction for dangerous driving in 2020 when he received a community order.
We reported on that case in which Griffiths led police on a terrifying high-speed police pursuit of speeds up to 50mph in 30mph roads, and ran red lights including on the other side of the road.
Griffiths admitted a charge of burglary at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday, (June 1).
Mark Sheward, defending, said there was "no sophistication" to Griffiths' theft and explained the defendant simply saw the cable, entered the site through a gap in the fence and took it to sell on.
"There was no planning at all," Mr Sheward said.
"He accepts responsibility" the solicitor said describing the crime as a "stupid, impulsive" act which Griffiths understood he would be prosecuted for.
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The solicitor added Griffiths had set up a scrap metal business selling items given to him by others.
Susan Dowty, chairman of the magistrates bench, told the dad-of-one he would pay £70 compensation to the construction firm for their loss.
Griffiths was fined £133 and ordered to pay £185 court costs and £34 victim surcharge.
The defendant was told to pay the total amount, £422, in full in 28 days - Mr Sheward indicating Griffiths would contact the fines office to pay at a rate of £50 a month.
Before Griffiths left the dock of Courtroom 1 the chairman told him: "We wish you good luck with the business, but make sure it is legitimate."
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