A TEENAGER who tried to dump a screwdriver and torch into a city centre rubbish bin when approached by police in the early hours of the morning was planning to use the items to carry out theft, a court decided this week. The 17-year-old also had a pair of

A TEENAGER who tried to dump a screwdriver and torch into a city centre rubbish bin when approached by police in the early hours of the morning was planning to use the items to carry out theft, a court decided this week.

The 17-year-old also had a pair of black gloves in his pocket - even though it was not cold weather.

The unemployed youngster had denied going equipped for theft, but was found guilty by Ely youth court on Thursday.

He was fined £50 with £70 costs, and must forfeit the screwdriver he had covered with coloured tape.

Prosecuting, Delia Matthews told how police saw three males in Ely city centre just before 1am on October 18, and saw the 17-year-old deposit something in a bin. He claimed to have put cigarettes in the bin, but a screwdriver and torch were found. At first the teenager claimed to have found the screwdriver in a skip, but later said he had found the tool the previous day near the City of Ely Community

College, and had covered it with tape because he was bored.

He said he needed the gloves to keep him warm, and the torch to light his way along an alley. He denied having plans to use the items to break into a car or steal something.

Mitigating, solicitor Guy Holland told the court: "This was a 17-year-old who was aware it was not very clever to be found in possession of these items. But he certainly had not formed any specific intent to use them that night.