A TRIO facing charges in connection with the theft of 60 metres of high quality cable face have appeared in court.

The loss of the cable meant Iverley residents were unable to make emergency calls and it caused "considerable inconvenience" within the community.

It cost up to £10,000 to repair the damage, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told, while the bill for other remedial work amounted to £5,000.

Jonathan Lowe 35, of Field Lane, Oldswinford and 30-year-old James Webley, of Belbroughton Road, Blakedown, have both pleaded guilty to theft by finding.

Stephen Noot, aged 27 of Queensway, Wollescote, admitted handling the stolen cable and all three men were further remanded on bail until a date to be fixed.

Judge Michael Challinor ruled he needed to determine the full background to the offence before he was able to finalise the case and pass sentence.

The court was told Lowe and Webley found the cable off the road and it was then taken to Noott's home where he agreed to store it as a favour.

The judge said the prosecution needed to call evidence regarding the location of the theft and it was essential the court was told the value of the cable as scrap.

He also ruled he wanted photographs that showed the full extent of the damage caused by the thieves.