A MOTOR mechanic struggling to keep his business afloat dangerously bypassed the electric meter to obtain £20,000 worth of power, a court heard.

Michael Grief, now living in Darlington, was found to have abstracted electricity on three visits by the authorities to his tyre and test centre in Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, between February and July last year.

Durham Crown Court heard it allowed him to gain almost £20,000-worth of free electricity in a bid to keep his garage business running.

But, police also discovered expanding ammunition rounds hidden round the First Avenue premises, while an engine was found to have been taken from a Skoda Octavia, stolen in the area several months earlier.

Christine Egerton, prosecuting, said 76 ammunition rounds were found hidden, some under mezzanine flooring and others in a roof void, but it was accepted that Grief was only aware of four of them, in a tool box, which he said he planned to convert into jewellery.

She said a small amount of amphetamines fell from his clothing when he was taken to a police station for questioning.

Grief, 46, of Kensington Gardens, Darlington, admitted three counts of using electricity without authority, plus receiving stolen goods, and possessing prohibited ammunition and a class B drug.

Nicholas Rook, mitigating, said the defendant built up the business over two decades, but he was hindered over the last two years by threats and intimidation after he assisted police inquiries into an aggravated burglary.

Mr Rook said the business began to suffer and he became “desperate”, resorting to “somewhat irrational behaviour” in a bid to keep it going.

He said Grief bought the engine from a scrap yard for a small sum, but realised it was “probably dodgy”.

Mr Rook added that Grief no longer has the business and has recently been offered a job as a window cleaner by a relative.

Recorder Simon Batiste said, given the defendant’s few previous offences, none in the last 16 years, he could avoid imposing an immediate prison sentence.

He passed a total of 16 months’ in prison, suspended for two years, with one year of probation supervision and 200-hours’ unpaid work.

Grief was also ordered to pay £750 towards court costs, plus a statutory surcharge, at the rate of £20 per week.

Recorder Batiste also ordered destruction of the recovered ammunition.