A TENANT and his friend who stripped out metal fittings –including the boiler – from his home while moving out have been sentenced by magistrates.

Thomas Brian Tull and David Wilkinson caused more than £3,400 worth of damage when they stole the boiler, copper piping, taps and door handles from a house in Willington, County Durham, in February.

The pair pleaded guilty to theft and also admitted damaging a glass door panel at the house in Lydia Street.

Alan Davidson, prosecuting at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court ,said Tull, 27, now of Commercial Street, and Wilkinson, 26, of Granville Terrace, Binchester, near Bishop Auckland, made full admissions when arrested by the police.

Last month, the case was adjourned for reports and today (May 15) magistrates agreed to follow the Probation Service’s recommendations.

No mitigation was given.

Both men were ordered to pay £750 compensation and received 12-month community orders.

Tull was sentenced to probation supervision and a 6-month alcohol treatment programme, while Wilkinson received 200 hours of unpaid work.