Bungling thieves who attempted to steal a £10,000 roller on the day of the Queen's funeral made a small mistake - not checking it could fit in their van. Kieron Heslop and Paul Stephenson targeted a sports ground where artificial pitches were being laid.
With eyes on the Queen's funeral on September 19, the pair knew the Newcastle sports ground would be quiet. But a security firm monitoring CCTV at the site spotted what they were up to and informed police, reports ChronicleLive.
Having broken a padlock to access the site, they stole £300 of diesel from a container and were trying to load the rolling machine into a van when officers arrived. They tried to run off but, with the help of a police dog that bit Stephenson, both were arrested.
Joe Hedworth, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court: "They targeted the premises because they knew there would be no one there because it was the Queen's funeral."
Heslop, 30, of Hall Lane Estate, Willington, Crook, County Durham, who has 63 previous convictions and Stephenson, 31, of Glenluce, Birtley, Gateshead, never in trouble before, pleaded guilty to theft. Heslop was sentenced to nine months suspended for two years with 150 hours unpaid work while Stephenson got a community order with 100 hours unpaid work.
Penny Hall, for Heslop, said: "He stupidly committed this offence. It's not sophisticated - when you look at the photographs of the roller being put in the van, it clearly not going to fit. The roller and diesel were left at the scene so no loss was caused and there was no damage to the roller."
Jonathan Cousins, for Stephenson, said: "He has begun the process of putting his life back together and getting himself back on his feet." The court heard he acted out of character at a time when he was "at a low point in his life".
