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Teenage metal thief 'preyed on vulnerable'

A teenage thief who stripped more than £1,500 worth of lead from elderly people's homes during an overnight stealing spree has been given a suspended prison sentence.

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A teenage thief who stripped more than £1,500 worth of lead from elderly people's homes during an overnight stealing spree has been given a suspended prison sentence.

The 18-year-old "preyed on vulnerable victims" and left them facing bills of hundreds of pounds to replace the lead and fix the damage, a court heard. Nine homes were targeted by Brett Wood.

He got away with lead from seven of them.

Wood, of Sedgeford Close, Brierley Hill, had been helped by a 17-year-old accomplice and a driver, Dudley Magistrates Court heard.

Magistrates chairman Mrs Barbara Sykes, told him: "This was a calculated series of thefts and there was a considerable number of victims."

Properties in Heath Farm Road, Belbroughton Road and Fredericks Close, Norton, Stourbridge, were targeted.

Police were called by residents who had heard noises on their roofs or had seen Wood ripping lead flashing from their homes at about 3am on January 4. One piece of lead in the haul was 8ft long, said Miss Maxine Macintosh, prosecuting.

Wood was also seen at about 8.30am loading the metal into a Vauxhall Nova in South Road, Stourbridge.

Miss Macintosh added: "He has preyed on elderly and vulnerable victims."

But Miss Diljit Bachada, defending, said Wood did not know he was stealing from elderly people. She added: "This was an opportunistic crime."

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will be sentenced on February 16 having pleaded guilty to the same charges.

Wood pleaded guilty to seven counts of theft and two of attempted theft. He also admitted cannabis possession. He was handed a 12-week sentence suspended for 12 months, a 12-month community order, and told to complete 120 hours unpaid work in the community.

He must pay £641 compensation — a third of £1,923, the total value of damage caused and lead stolen.

Wood will also undergo 23 sessions on a Thinking Skills programme, including modules on "problem solving", "self-control" and "positive relationships".

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