A scrap dealer caught stealing poles from the side of the M6 has had his van confiscated and crushed – in a new get-tough policy on metal thieves.

Self-employed Leonard Gheorge was caught on the southbound carriageway loading metal piping destined for new gantries into his Transit van between junctions 9 and 10.

Yesterday the 23-year-old pleaded in court that he needed his vehicle for his work as a scrap collector but was told it would be immediately seized and destroyed.

The Crown Prosecution Service today warned others would face the same fate if caught stealing metal.

Churches, bus shelters, schools, hospitals, homes and even crematoriums have all been targeted by metal thieves.

Mr Peter Smedley, prosecuting, said police were informed by CCTV operators that a group of men were loading the pipes into a van at about 1pm on March 6 on the site of roadworks ahead of opening up the hard shoulder at peak times.

Mr Smedley said: “This was not a very sophisticated effort. In interview the defendant said they were getting metal to sell for scrap to get money to live on.”

Gheorge, of Ward End Park Road, Birmingham, admitted theft at Walsall Magistrates Court yesterday.

Mr Najeeb Ali, defending, said: “He relies on his van for a living. He has been trying to put together a living that involves finding scrap metal and selling it. He does want to keep hold of his van in order to carry out a legitimate living.”

Gheorge was fined £100 and banned from the road for two months. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £15.

Warrants were issued for their arrests of three men seen with Gheorge.