Bilston scrap dealer bought stolen Royal Mail trolleys
A scrap metal dealer bought 16 trolleys that had been stolen from Royal Mail – but said he didn't know any better because he was new to the trade.
Anthony Vanes, owner of Stag Metal in Oxford Street, Bilston, also had on his premises £315 worth of cable wiring belonging to British Telecom and e.on.
Vanes, aged 45, of Constantine Way, Bilston, received a 10-week curfew and was fined £100 yesterday after being found guilty at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court of receiving and handling stolen goods.
District judge Michael Wheeler also ordered him to pay £300 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.
The court heard that police searched the premises on February 13 and found the items, all of which were marked with their respective company names. Miss Indira Sharma, prosecuting, said: "Police officers spoke to the defendant about the records he kept. He was unable to produce them and was then arrested.
"Officers then visited the scrapyard for a second time on February 15 and he was unable to produce the records, stating they were still with his accountant." Vanes told the court he was not on the site when one of his three staff received the stolen trolleys, together worth £800.
He said: "It was all really new to me, and I didn't know what rules I had to abide by. I'm too good-natured.".
Mr Richard Quinn, defending, said Vanes had improved his record-keeping since the offences and was now working in accordance with legal requirements.
