A THIEF was caught red-handed by police when he tried to steal copper from the Fife Energy company at their Westfield Development Centre, near Ballingry.
Police were called at 7am by a witness walking his dog who became suspicious of a parked car. The fence of the power plant had been broken.
Edward Morris was found exiting the property and attempting to conceal himself behind his car and said to police, "I am just here to steal a bit of copper".
Morris, 48, of Leven, previously admitted that on March 9, he was found in the curtilage of Fife Energy Ltd, Westfield Development Centre, Cardenden, without lawful authority to be there, so that in all the circumstances, it may be reasonably inferred that he intended to commit theft there. He also admitted to having in his possession cannabis, a Class B drug.
Defence solicitor, Sarah Meehan, told Dunfermline Sheriff Court, on Wednesday, that her client had been facing financial difficulties since he had lost employment and had problems receiving his benefit.
"He planned to removed the copper and sell it on. He accepts that the company could have lost money from that", she said.
Sheriff Valerie Johnston imposed a sentence of 100 hours unpaid work.
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