Father and son went on metal theft spree across West Midlands
A father and son targeted a string of scrap metal firms to steal hundreds of pounds worth of goods during a six-week crime spree across the West Midlands.
Michael and Toby Arrowsmith struck at companies in Cannock, Aldridge and Birmingham to steal metal during early morning raids. More than £1,600 worth of goods were stolen in four raids, during which the pair used a flat-bed truck to load up their stolen items.
At a hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday, Michael, aged 42, was jailed for a year while his son Toby, 21, was handed a suspended prison term.
Prosecutor Mrs Sati Ruck told the hearing that Aldridge metal manufacturers JL Float was targeted between 5.55am and 6.30am on April 15. They tool £160 in metal. On May 6, Euroseal on the Tamebridge Industrial Estate in Perry Barr had £400 worth of metal beams stolen while on May 17, the pair stole £125 in goods from Magma Energy Services in Hednesford, Cannock.
On May 23, SPB Group in Aldridge was targeted at 5.45am, with 26 metal plates worth £1,000 stolen.
Michael, of no fixed address, and Toby, of Harden Road, Coalpool, were convicted of three counts of theft and admitted one further theft charge.
Mr Nicholas Berry, for Michael, said his client had completed a bricklaying course while in prison.
For Toby, Mr Berry said Michael had been a bad influence but Toby had an apprenticeship planned.
The court heard Michael was serving a 38-month prison term for wounding. He was given an additional 12-months in prison.
Father-of-one Toby, who had one previous conviction for theft, was given 10-month prison term, suspended for 18 months.
