Jail for prolific thief behind firm break-ins and fuel thefts

Anthony Austin and another man escaped with a haul of power tools after breaking into Aggregate Industries in Willenhall on May 2, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

Door locks were snapped and offices wrecked in a damaging search for money before they fled with the tools and petty cash, revealed Mr Patrick Kelly, prosecuting.

Austin was identified from CCTV stills and arrested on May 28 by which time he had committed several other offences.

On May 5 he was caught trying to steal 125 litres of diesel from trucks parked at businesses in Longmore Avenue, Walsall, continued Mr Kelly.

Police were tipped off and sealed the area until the 39-year-old was stopped while attempting to escape on a mountain bike belonging to an employee which he had just stolen.

He smelt strongly of fuel and it transpired had syphoned it from parked lorries after breaking locks on the tank caps.

The fuel was found in five containers which had been thrown over a wall for collection.

Austin had stolen 30 tubs from the yard at ACE Adhesives in Shenstone Drive, Aldridge which he and others visited seven times between April 5 and 7, the court heard.

He was recognised on CCTV and when arrested explained: “I was going to use these to nick some diesel.”

He had previous convictions involving 68 offences many of which were for theft and kindred crimes which stemmed from a 20-year addiction to heroin and cocaine, said Mr David Swinnerton, defending, who added: “Since his arrest he has been giving negative drug tests so there is some light at the end of the tunnel if he remains clean in prison.”

Austin, from Rough Hay Road, Darlaston, admitted theft, burglary and failing to honour his bail and was jailed by Judge Peter Barrie who said: “If you continue to avoid drugs you can avoid further offending. That is the challenge and I hope you succeed.”