Midlands pair sentenced over stolen copper

Two Black Country lorry drivers found with £14,000 worth of stolen copper sheets have been handed suspended prison sentences.

The sheets were taken from a lorry being driven from Grimsby, through the Midlands to the Royal Mint in Wales, while the driver stopped for a nap, Worcester Crown Court was told.

Karl Paskin, aged 53, of Stour Street, West Bromwich, was sentenced to ten months while Nathan Locke, 24, of Highfield Road, Tipton, got eight months, both suspended for a year.

They both denied they were the thieves but admitted handling stolen goods. Judge Philip Parker QC gave each man an 8pm to 6am curfew for 90 days.