Trail of rusty water led police to Walsall boiler thief

Darren Fraser has a convictions list that includes 195 crimes of which more than 100 are for theft, a judge was told.

The father-of-two pleaded guilty to a charge of receiving stolen goods at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Alarm supervisors were called to a Walsall Homes property in Bridgwater Close, Walsall Wood on August 8 last year.

When personnel arrived they found radiators had been removed and copper piping cut up.

It was also discovered that a boiler had been removed from the unoccupied home.

Mr David Lees, prosecuting, said: "The police arrived at the scene at 1.30pm and were able to follow a trail of rusty water which ended at a shed which this defendant had been using.

"When they opened it there was the stolen property.

"The defendant was later arrested and told officers he had found the boiler in an alleyway.

"He has a considerable record that includes 195 offences and over 100 are for theft."

Mr Anthony Potter, defending, said: "There are a significant amount of offences but Mr Fraser would consider all of these are all in his past.

"He is trying to distance himself from his previous conduct."

Fraser, of Bloxwich Road, Walsall, was given a two-year-community order. As part of this he will be supervised by the probation service and he is required to take an anger management programme.

Fraser was ordered to carry out 75 hours of unpaid work.

While passing sentence Recorder Richard Bond said: "This is your final chance."