Shropshire college staff chase thieves who tried to make off with £3,500 worth of fuel
Staff were twice threatened as they chased thieves who had attempted to steal diesel from a Shropshire college site.
A van had been spotted towing away a tank containing £3,500 worth of fuel from the grounds of Concord College at Acton Burnell.
One of the raiders, 25-year-old Dean Rogerson was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and made the subject of a rehabilitation programme and must pay £250 compensation and £100 costs.
Rogerson, of Bridgnorth Road, Broseley, had admitted charges of theft, criminal damage, threatening behaviour and possession of drugs.
The court heard a section of security fencing was removed and a van driven into the college site at midnight on May 23 this year. The rear lights of a JCB were broken as it was being used to lift the red diesel dispenser onto a trailer before the thieves drove away.
It was spotted and staff began to follow but the thieves stopped and unhitched the trailer and pushed it back towards the vehicle giving chase.
The staff continued to follow the van as it drove away, but it stopped again and the defendant and two other men got out and threatened the college staff. Again they continued to follow the van which then stopped again and was reversed into the chasing car forcing the staff to retreat.
Rogerson was arrested a short time later and was found in possession of cannabis.
Mr Paul Smith, for Rogerson, said his client had debts and had been stupid to get involved in the theft in an attempt to solve his financial difficulties.
