Recovery lorry car thief escapes jail

A thief who used his father's recovery lorry to steal an 84-year-old woman's car has been given a suspended prison sentence by a court.

Lee Loveridge, aged 29, took the lorry while his father was out, and drove around looking for something to steal, Dudley Magistrates Court heard.

He spotted a Volkswagen Polo parked in Bell Street South, in Brierley Hill, and hitched it to the recovery wagon before taking it away.

Loveridge had pleaded guilty a charge of theft of a motor vehicle at a previous hearing.

The defendant of Thorns Road, Quarry Bank, arrived at yesterday's hearing on crutches claiming he suffered from ulcerated legs.

But District Judge Graham Wilkinson called the injuries "nonsense" as he gave Loveridge an 18-week prison term, suspended for 18 months.

He said: "I read in my report that Mr Loveridge is unable to work because he has ulcerated legs.

"That is utter nonsense as you were still able to drive around in your father's recovery truck, hitch her car up to it and then drive it away.

"Your legs didn't stop you doing that."

Mrs Rachael Smith, prosecuting, claimed Loveridge had visited scrapyards trying to offload the car but no dealers would take it without the log book. The car has never been recovered.

Mr Gerry Vahey, for Loveridge, said: "He knows this is a very serious matter and he accepts he has to be punished for what he had done.

"Methadone has a hold on him."

As well as the suspended sentence district judge Wilkinson ordered Loveridge to complete an 18-month supervision order, a 12-month offender substance abuse programme, and a 12-month drug rehabilitation order.

Loveridge will have to pay £250 compensation and was disqualified from driving for two years.

District Judge Wilkinson said: "This was a cherished car and the loss of it I'm sure has greatly affected the lady's independence."

The judge added Loveridge had previous convictions for vehicle theft.