[T]WO thieves who stole wagons and scaffolding worth up to £80,000 from a Workington yard have been spared immediate prison.
Carlisle Crown Court heard how three HGVs laden with equipment were pinched after a locked industrial site belonging to Paton Bros was entered during the night of October 24 in 2016.
Two of the three vehicles had tracking devices fitted, allowing the owner to trace them to Middlesbrough where attempts were made hours later to offload some of the loot.
Police responded and detained two of the criminals, 30-year-old Elijah Boswell and Gary McDonald, 20, after a short chase. All stolen items – worth between £70,000 and £80,000 – were recovered.
Having admitted theft, Boswell and McDonald had prison sentences of 21 and 12 months, respectively, suspended for 18 months. The men, each fathers to young children, were also ordered to complete 180 hours’ unpaid work and a four-month night-time curfew.
Boswell, of Smithies Lane, Barnsley, must also complete a rehabilitation requirement and pay £6,600 compensation. He was said to have “completely transformed his life” in recent months and found religion after previous criminal offending.
McDonald, of Bankside Close, Sowerby, Thirsk, had no prior convictions, the court heard.
