Blast scare raiders spared jail sentence

Two metal thieves who risked causing explosions by stealing copper piping from gas meters across Wolverhampton have been spared a jail sentence.

Lee Platek and Darryl Hamer, who put families' lives at risk in the homes they targeted in Tettenhall and Whitmore Reans, were instead ordered to carry out a combined 430 hours of unpaid work and pay compensation to their victims.

The pair also targeted Newbridge Pharmacy, in Tettenhall Road, during the string of raids over a three-day period from February 22-24.

They had been warned last week to prepare for jail by Wolverhampton magistrates.

But Platek, aged 29, of The Lindens, Tettenhall, was ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work while Hamer, aged 36, Newhampton Road West, was ordered to carry out 250 hours.

They were also handed 12- month supervision orders, and told them they must attend drug and drink rehabilitation sessions for six months. They had admitted four counts each of theft.

Chairman of the bench Raj Sohi told them: "We have reduced the sentence because you pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

"There will be compensation of £90 to each of your victims. No costs will be awarded as we feel compensation is more important."

He added: "We are going to be more onerous with Mr Hamer because his previous record is slightly lengthier and also there are a number of failures to comply with community orders in the past."

Hamer has similar convictions for theft the latest being in January 2009.

Prosecuting Miss Kelly Hales said the defendants had caused a combined £980 in damage to three homes and the pharmacy, and that the metal had been sold to a local scrap merchant.

She added that in one case a victim had to carry out immediate repairs because water had been left gushing from the central heating system. In many cases there was a strong smell of gas.

Mr Frank Calleia, defending, said Hamer had been motivated to carry out the raids after his benefits had been stopped. He had a history of drug problems.

Mr Richard Quinn, for Platek, said at a previous hearing that he was a talented self-taught pianist who would not re-offend because he was aiming to become a music teacher.