Ex Point Clear man admits metal thefts (From Gazette)

Ex Point Clear man admits metal thefts

10:00am Saturday 11th February 2012 in Clacton, Frinton & Walton

A METAL thief caused thousands of pounds worth of damage after stealing copper and lead from properties.

Copper piping worth around £1,000 was stolen from a house being built on a site in Colchester.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard damage was estimated at £4,000.

Christopher Rook, formerly of Colne Way, Point Clear, also caused damage estimated at £2,000-£3,000 to the roof of the former military police building on Colchester garrison.

A man working in the grounds heard noises coming from the building and found lead from the roof had been piled up ready for collection.

Rook, 21, was found in the building. The court heard he was living in the attic and had also stayed at the other property before stealing the copper piping.

Rook, 21, of New Town Road, Colchester, admitted two burglary charges.

He was given a two-year supervision order and a nine-month drug rehabilitation order.

Eyelyn Hicks, mitigating, said Rook took the items to help pay for his drug addiction.