A THIEF was caught red-handed standing in a shopping trolley while removing lead from a wall, a court heard.

Carl Woolaston, aged 54, of Vesta Tilley Court, Worcester, falsely claimed he was taking the metal down on behalf of the city council.

Colette Orton, prosecuting, said locals reported Woolaston to the police, after spotting him removing lead from a wall next to a Fortis property, called Phoenix Court, in New Street, Worcester.

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She added: "Police saw him standing on a shopping trolley to reach the lead about 10ft from the ground.

"He told officers he was removing it on behalf of the council. He couldn't provide documentation.

"In the police interview he admitted to removing the lead from the building. He said he thought it was all genuine work."

The court heard that a man contacted the defendant via a homeless person and offered him £40 to steal the metal.

Magistrates were told that the man also provided Woolaston, a qualified bricklayer, with a high-vis jacket and tools, which were on him when he was arrested on December 10.

Mrs Orton said the defendant, who is currently on benefits, removed about one metre of lead, before he was caught.

She added that police officers checked with the city council and Fortis to see if he was working on their behalf, however both said they had not hired him.

Belinda Ariss, defending, said: "It was an extremely unsophisticated theft. There were some barriers around him, protecting him from the traffic.

"He decided to make some money before Christmas. He didn't have a ladder, that's why he got a shopping trolley."

Mrs Ariss acknowledged that the defendant had an 'unenviable record', although she said he had been out of trouble for the last six years.

She added: "He's a recovering heroin addict, who's been clean for seven months. He's on a methadone script from Swanswell."

Woolaston, who pleaded guilty to theft, was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £100 in compensation, £85 in court costs and a £30 victim surcharge at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday.