A 29-YEAR-OLD Wordsley man who stole scrap metal including the gates of a cancer charity to fuel his drug addiction has been spared jail.

Jason Reynolds took 49 metal cages belonging to supermarkets in the area, 12 drainage covers and the two gates which were valued at a total of £6,500 during his two-month crime spree, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

Judge Martin Walsh told him: "I am not optimistic but I am prepared to give you a chance. If you do not take this chance you are going to prison."

Nicholas Burn, prosecuting, told the court Reynolds was finally rumbled when police received a tip-off about a suspicious blue Nissan van and when it was checked it was found to contain £300 worth of cages belonging to Tesco's.

Mr Burn added: "The defendant would use his vehicle to load it up with cages and covers which he would then sell on to scrap yards.”

Reynolds, of Beaubrook Gardens, admitted five charges of theft by finding and he was given a 12-month jail term suspended for two years.

The Judge further ruled he must obey a four-month curfew between the hours of 9pm and 6am and attend a Drug Rehabilitation Programme.

Reynolds also stole metal cages belonging to Waitrose and One Stop Shop, the court heard.

Andrew Baker defending, said all of his client’s offending was down to his heroin addiction.