Brierley Hill lead thief avoids jail

3:59pm Thursday 7th August 2008

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A BRIERLEY Hill man who stole lead from the roof of a property being converted into flats has avoided jail.

Declain Phipps, aged 25, was with a second man when he took £100 worth of lead from the flats in Church Street, Brierley Hill.

But they were spotted by a witness who quickly notified police and he provided descriptions of the two men who were arrested within minutes.

On Thursday August 7, prosecutor Sati Aujla told Wolverhampton Crown Court the co-defendant was seen pushing a roll of lead into a bush near the home of Phipps who was also picked up by officers.

When questioned, Phipps, of Addision Road, said they intended selling the lead at a scrapyard.

Phipps admitted theft and was told by Recorder Martin Butterworth it was clear he was suffering from difficulties resulting from a 45 month sentence he had served for wounding with intent.

The Recorder said: “You had a very long period of custody and I feel the best way to protect the community from you is for you to receive assistance from the Probation Service.”

He made Phipps the subject of a 12 month supervision order and also ruled he must undertake a drug rehabilitation and testing order over the same period.