Scrap metal collector stole road bikes worth £4,000 in Powys

Heavily convicted Steven Henry Loveridge nabbed two boxes containing Raleigh bikes from the Speed Transport Logistics depot near Welshpool last month, having travelled over an hour from his home to look for scrap metal at a nearby quarry.

The 47-year-old told Welshpool Magistrates’ Court this week he didn’t even look inside the boxes to check what he was stealing – but they turned out to be Raleigh Lapierre Crosshill 5.0 road bikes, worth £2,000 each.

He admitted burglary when he appeared before magistrates on Tuesday, March 21.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said Loveridge was easily identified via CCTV at the depot.

“A report of theft was made to police,” she said.

“CCTV at the depot showed the defendant driving a vehicle into the depot area. He took two boxes of bikes, worth £2,000 each, then drove away.

“His vehicle registration was noted and police turned up at his home address. He fully admitted the offence, saying it was opportunistic.

“He said he had no intention of stealing anything but decided to take the bikes when he saw them, he said it was impulsive.”

Representing Loveridge, of Noose Lane, Willenhall, near Walsall, Patrick Curry said the CCTV footage captured a “perfect image” of his client.

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“It wasn’t pre-planned,” said Mr Curry of the married father-of-three.

“He was out scrap collecting up the quarry. On the way out he spotted the boxes. He had no intention of stealing anything, but he spotted something and very foolishly took the two bikes."

He added: “He has made efforts to recover the bikes but the person he sold them to has not been forthcoming. He only got a few hundred pounds for each bike and did not realise their value.”

Mr Curry acknowledged his client’s lengthy record, which includes 32 convictions for 73 offences. “His last offence of this nature was in 1993 when he was a juvenile,” said Mr Curry. “He has kept himself out of trouble for the last six years.”

Probation officer Julian Davies said: “He is embarrassed about his actions and deeply regrets what he did.

“He hasn’t worked since the offence and is supported financially by his father and his family."

Mr Davies said of Loveridge’s previous offending that he received a 27-month prison sentence at Leeds Crown Court in 2017 for conspiracy to defraud and he described the defendant as posing a high risk of re-offending.

Magistrates gave Loveridge a 12-month community order with 15 rehabilitation activity days and a daily curfew, and ordered him to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.