Ricky Scarborough, an employee of marine equipment manufacturer Cathelco, told police he was sitting in his car at 12.45pm on 21st January when he saw three men load copper bars into a Land-Rover.

Another employee also witnessed the incident and tried to pass the vehicle's registration number on to police.

Prosecutor Helen Griffiths told Chesterfield magistrates on Friday: "Police could not trace the number provided but they found a similar number which matched the vehicle's description and it was registered to Matthew Wardle.

"He said he had been the driver. He said he had been asked by a male friend to collect him and two others from Shirebrook. He drove them to Chesterfield and was asked to park in Hipper Street South."

Wardle (35) told police he realised a crime had probably been committed when he saw the trio running back to the car carrying items.

"He said they were his friends and he agreed to take them back to Shirebrook. During the journey they told him they had stolen some copper.

"He said he got £10 fuel money for driving them but got nothing from selling on the copper, which was worth £370," added Mrs Griffiths.
Wardle, of West Street, admitted handling stolen goods and was given a 10pm-7am curfew for three months and ordered to pay £150 compensation to Cathelco and £43 costs.


A WELLOW man who filled up his car but did not pay for the petrol has been hit with a suspended jail sentence.

Mark Bingham gave his name and address claiming he would return later to pay up but never went back.

Bingham (41), of Newark Road, admitted three charges of theft of petrol from filling stations in the Lincoln area on different dates between 21st December 2004 and 17th August 2006.

At Lincoln Crown Court on Monday, his solicitor Henry Ewing said Bingham took relatively low amounts of petrol and on one occasion handed over £5 towards a £30 bill but then did not go back to pay the outstanding amount.

"He left his name and address behind so he was always going to be traced," said Mr Ewing.
Bingham was given a three-month jail sentence suspended for 12 months.



A MANSFIELD man who admitted harassing an ex-girlfriend has been slapped with a restraining order.

Mansfield magistrates were told last Wednesday that Gareth Wheatcroft (22), of Hobhouse Road, had been sending text messages to the woman making threats about damaging her car.Wheatcroft admitted sending a number of threatening messages but said he had no intention of actually carrying out his threats.

Magistrates imposed a six-month restraining order on Wheatcroft preventing him from contacting the complainant either directly or indirectly.

He was also fined £150 with a £15 victim surcharge.


A MAN soon to become a father for a second time has been handed a 28-day driving ban after travelling at 33mph above the speed limit.

Magill Annable (29), of Rosemary Street, Mansfield, was caught doing 63mph in a 30mph zone along the A60 on 2nd August last year.

In mitigation, Annable told the court: "I have recently had a child and we are expecting another one. Life has been quite hectic and on that day I was in a real rush."

Unemployed Annable told the court he had received a job offer as a self-employed gardener but the position required him to drive.

But District Judge Mervyn Harris told Annable that he had no alternative but to ban him from the roads.

"As you have been given a job offer it is clear you will need a car to accept it," he said.

"However, you were driving more than double the speed limit and therefore I am looking at a short-term ban."
He banned Annable from driving a bike or sitting behind a wheel for four weeks and ordered him to pay a £125 fine and £35 costs.


SUTTON man David Parker has admitted punching his wife and attacking other punters during a pub altercation.

Parker (46), of York Street, entered the town's Speed The Plough pub on 1st March with his wife and soon entered into a row with her.
Mansfield magistrates were told on Thursday that he then punched her in the face and she fell to the floor.

The pub landlady then tried to intervene but Parker swore at her before striking her on the left shoulder.

The court was told that another man became involved in the altercation as well after Parker struck him in the face.

Parker admitted the charge and was bailed by magistrates to appear before them again on 17th April.

• SUTTON man Barry Hassell (30), of Kirkby Road, who admits possessing crack cocaine on 18th March, was given conditional bail until 3rd April by Mansfield magistrates last Wednesday.


• MANSFIELD man Patrick Bembridge (39), of Newgate Lane, who admitted driving with no insurance, was slapped with a £70 fine and six penalty points by the town's magistrates last Wednesday.

A PREGNANT Mansfield woman has lost her licence after she admitted driving with excess alcohol in her system.

Louise Marsh (31), of Princes Street, was driving on Clumber Street in the town on 3rd February when she was stopped by police because of the manner of her driving.

Mansfield magistrates were told on Wednesday the mum-of-two had drunk two bottles of alcopops and a glass of cider and was surprised when she was told she was over the limit.

Marsh was fined £100, ordered to pay £60 costs and £15 victim surcharge and was disqualified for 12 months, which will be reduced by three months if she completes a drink-drivers' rehabilitation course.