Thief 'legs' it

12:00pm Friday 8th August 2008

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Police caught a petty thief with a wooden chair leg hidden up his sleeve whilst he was out on his bicycle.

Karl West, 37, of Lyme Grove, Old Trafford attracted suspicion when he was spotted with a hood over his head cycling in Stretford.

Officers on pedal cycle patrol used stop and search powers to detain West and found the 14 inch chair leg with a screw on it hidden along his right arm.

Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester was told similar implements had been used to smash windows during the course of burglaries in the area.

West claimed he was taking the chair leg to his mother's home because she wanted it but police discovered there was no such purpose needed there.

He initially denied going equipped for theft and elected trial by judge and jury but later pleaded guilty. The chair leg was confiscated.

Inquiries revealed West, who it has been revealed had a long standing drug problem, was a "persistent offender" who had several previous convictions including going equipped, attempted theft, drugs offences and robbery.

In mitigation, defence counsel Robert Lancaster said the latest offence last February occurred soon after West had been convicted of another matter. He initially pleaded not guilty and elected because he realised he was in trouble.

Mr Lancaster said West's mother was in poor health and his client was now on a course of methadone. West was ordered to complete a 12 month community order with a condition he undergo drug rehabilitation.

Passing sentence Judge Leslie Hull told him: "You are a persistent offender with a record which would drive anyone to despair.

"You have been bumping along the bottom for 20 years or so.I must confess my confidence in you completing this order is not rock solid."