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Metal thief, 18, sent to prison
A TEENAGER who stripped lead from the same church three times was jailed for nine months.
Graham Crutch, 18, of Longore, Stonesfield, admitted three charges of theft from St Mary's Church, in Chipping Norton, when he appeared at Banbury Magistrates' Court last week.
He was also sentenced for taking a Skoda car from Combe, and for driving while disqualified and without insurance.
The sentence was welcomed by Thames Valley Police.
Det Sgt Craig Kirby said: "The magistrates made it clear how seriously they are taking metal theft offences.
"This type of crime has a massive effect on the local community, targeting vulnerable properties for personal gain."
Buoyant worldwide metal prices have had a major effect on scrap metal theft, making it a very lucrative business.
Churches, schools, homes, and shops across Oxfordshire have been targeted. In one incident, thieves stripped an entire road of its iron drain covers - leaving dangerous holes in the road.
As reported in the Gazette, 25 grilles from a mile-and-a-half stretch of the A4095, between Bampton and Clanfield, were linked to a spate of thefts driven by thieves cashing in on the high value of scrap metal.
Last month, copper piping from the back of Oxford charity shop Clic Sargent, in Headington, Oxford, was stolen.
And in May, 11 people from across Cherwell were arrested after a spate of thefts, including Warriner School, Bloxham, and Banbury School.
3:01pm Monday 7th July 2008
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CommentPosted by: n, oxford on 4:19pm Mon 7 Jul 08
[quote]Det Sgt Craig Kirby said: "The magistrates made it clear how seriously they are taking metal theft offences.[/quote]
thats great Mr. Kirby. Start thinking about the knife crime aswell....that is much more important then the metal as it can be purchased but life cant........
Det Sgt Craig Kirby said: "The magistrates made it clear how seriously they are taking metal theft offences.
thats great Mr. Kirby. Start thinking about the knife crime aswell....that is much more important then the metal as it can be purchased but life cant........
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