A MAN stole wheel trims from nearly 150 parked cars in the Dudley and Sandwell had 313 offences on his criminal record.

Unemployed Stuart Jones advertised the stolen trims on ebay and he sold them for a few pounds to "make a living," said Mark Rees prosecuting.

He told Wolverhampton Crown Court the 36-year-old father-of-three took 23 wheel trims valued at over £900 off cars and when he was arrested he had tools inside his vehicle.

The offences were committed in breach of a Criminal Anti-Social Behaviour Order, said Mr Rees and a condition of the order was that he should not be in possession of any metal tools unless for a legitimate purpose.

After his arrest Jones then decided to "clear the air" and he told officers he had stolen a minimum of 145 wheel trims with the total value of his stolen property coming to over £5,500.

Jones, of Victoria Road, Tipton, admitted theft, going equipped for theft and causing £125 worth of damage to his cell after his arrest.

He further asked Recorder Stuart Sprawson to take into consideration 39 other offences involving the thefts of wheel trims.

The Recorder told him: "You have brought misery upon a substantial number of car owners over a period of time. But you assert you have changed and you want to focus on your family.

"I am quite impressed you approached your offender manager voluntarily so you can move forward. I want a report to see how you have engaged and what you have achieved in your aims and ambitions."

Jones who had been committed to the crown court for sentence by Dudley Magistrates was remanded on bail until Tuesday April 29 for the report to be compiled.