Two thieves in court after trying to steal a boiler worth £5 from property in Peterlee

A roofer and his pal found themselves in hot water when they tried to pinch a used boiler worth just £5.
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Kai Wilkinson, 19, and Declan Todd, 22, were caught red handed in O’Neill Drive, Peterlee, by the owner – and hauled into court after their arrest.

Prosecutor Paul Anderson told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court the incident took place on Wednesday, October 28, 2019.

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The prosecutor said the victim, who works as a plumber was awoken by the pair trying to steal the old boiler before there was a confrontation.

The case was heard at South Tyneside Law Courts.  Picture by FRANK REID.The case was heard at South Tyneside Law Courts.  Picture by FRANK REID.
The case was heard at South Tyneside Law Courts. Picture by FRANK REID.

He told the court: “In a nutshell, this case is about the theft of an old boiler.

“It belonged to a heating and plumbing engineer, and he kept it at the back of his house.

“He is woken up in the early hours and sees a white van and he sees two men outside.

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“There was something of a confrontation. The men were taking a boiler, it was only worth £5.

“These two men have admitted that they were responsible for the theft that occurred.”

Wilkinson, of Tower Court, Easington Lane, and Todd, of Dunkirk Avenue, Houghton, pleaded guilty to theft including by finding.

Robin Ford, defending, said: “This offence is 18 months-old.

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“I think compensation of £5 could be an insulting sentence, so perhaps a conditional discharge.

“A lot has changed for Mr Wilkinson. He is now in full-time employment, he is a roofer.

“Mr Todd is trying to get into the same kind of work.”

District Judge Paul Currer handed both defendants a 12-month conditional discharge, and each must pay a £21 victim surcharge.

There were no court costs.

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