THIEF Melvin Peacck helped himself t BT cables fund at the radside, and then gave a false name when he sld them t a scrap yard. But plice were able t find Peacck after tracing the vehicle he used – and he was filmed as he went int the scrap yard

THIEF Melvin Peacck helped himself t BT cables fund at the radside, and then gave a false name when he sld them t a scrap yard.

But plice were able t find Peacck after tracing the vehicle he used - and he was filmed as he went int the scrap yard ffice.

Peacck was paid £392.23 fr the cables by the Eurpean Metal Recycling Ltd at Snailwell n January 28, Ely magistrates were tld. He tld the curt he used the mney t pay ff sme bills.

Prsecuting, David Myles said plice went t the scrap yard lking fr stlen cable that belnged t BT, and Peacck was interviewed.

Thirty-nine-year-ld Peacck, f Frdham Rad, Sham, admitted stealing the BT cables, and selling them t EMR at Snailwell.

He was fined £500 and was tld he must pay £392.23 cmpensatin, £60 csts and a £15 surcharge.

"He heard abut the scrap at the side f the rad and went t cllect it," said David Myles, prsecuting. "He accepted he had n entitlement t it, and received cash."

Slicitr Michael Judkins said it was nt unusual fr tradesmen t take items left ver at wrk sites.

"N ne minds if cntractrs take items fr themselves," he said. "The cable was nticed by his friend, and it seemed t be abandned.

"In future, if he sees items that appear t have been dumped, he will ntify the plice f their whereabuts, and after 28 days if n ne claims them, he can d s.