Dudley crook came clean on thefts from his cell

A convicted metal thief confessed from his prison cell to a series of catalytic converter thefts from cars at two Midlands firms, a court heard.

Alan Edwin Davies, a serving prisoner at Brinsford Young Offenders Institution in South Staffordshire, told officers of his guilt when his conscience got the better of him and he wanted to have "a clean slate".

He wept throughout yesterday's hearing at Dudley Magistrates after pleading guilty to two counts of theft.

District Judge Michael Wheeler was told the converters had been taken from vans belonging to Joroy Services, Brierley Hill, and Newline Construction, Kingswinford.

Davies, aged 19, made the sign of the cross in relief after the district judge ruled a six-week sentence would run concurrent with his existing prison term.

He will be eligible for release in three weeks time. Davies is serving a sentence for similar crimes and asked for five other matters to be taken into account.

Mr Mark Cooper, prosecuting, said Davies had been approached by police while in prison and asked if there were any outstanding matters he wanted to confess to.

He agreed and was driven around sites in the borough pointing out where he had taken the converters from including the Brierley Hill and Kingswinford firms.

Me Cooper said he was frank with police and even told them how he removed the various converters.

"He usually removed the converters while they were still attached to the exhaust system which is what has caused considerable cost to the owners."

Mr Gerry Vahey, defending, said it was the first time Davies had been in prison and it was an experience he did not wish to repeat. It has had a traumatic effect on him. He has also recently become a father and wants to re-join his partner and child as soon as possible.

"These matters would not have come to light if he had not brought them to the attention to police."

By Lee Watton