Tipton scrap metal thieves 'didn't know it was stealing'

Three scrap metal thieves who took £100 of metal and copper cabling from near Tesco at Burnt Tree "didn't know" that it would be classed as stealing, a court heard.

The trio, all from Tipton, pleaded guilty to theft by finding at Dudley Magistrates Court yesterday.

Window cleaner Alan Green, of Sycamore Road, Princess End, was handed an £80 fine and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Meanwhile, Michael Holloway, aged 21, and Lee Rogers, 23, both of Menin Road, pleaded guilty to a second charge of failing to attend a drug test.

They were each handed a 12-month community order and told they must complete 80 hours of unpaid work, plus pay £85 court costs. They were warned they could face prison if they do not abide by the order.

Mr Waleed Khan, for Holloway and Rogers, said they had not intended to steal anything. Green said: "At the time I wasn't aware of theft by finding and didn't know what that was. I do now. I just want to put this whole thing behind me."