A THIEF has been spared jail after stealing hundreds of pounds worth of power tools before realising they belonged to his cousin.

Thomas Howard Copping appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court today for the theft offence that took place on the evening of Wednesday, September 14.

The 28-year-old pleaded guilty and said if he knew the tools belonged to his cousin he wouldn’t have taken them.

Sarah Traynor, prosecuting, said the victim parked his work van for the evening in Bishop Auckland and returned the following morning to find it had been broken into.

“The rear door had been opened and the tools had been taken.” She said.

Copping, of Brewer Street, Bishop Auckland, was later arrested and interviewed about his movements on the night the tools were stolen but gave no reply.

His mobile phone was seized by police and investigations revealed not only had he known about the theft but he was responsible for it.

A statement from the victim read: “The incident has caused me to worry about how secure the vehicle is and it also caused issues with work for a few days.”

Paul Donoghue, mitigating, said a number of issues had caused the defendant to commit the crime.

“He has a drug problem,” he said. “He has had issues with controlled drugs for some time.

“The reason he did not co-operate during the interview was because he was embarrassed. He didn’t realised that the owner of the van was not the owner of the tools, and he didn’t realise they belonged to his cousin.

“Contact was made from his cousin asking if he knew anything about it and he realised he had stolen his cousin’s power tools.

“He said he was sorry and arranged for the tools to be returned. He knew what was coming when he was being interviewed and he didn’t want to say.”

Mr Donoghue said Copping needed to be punished but said he sees hope in him and hopes he can be rehabilitated.

Probation officer, Brenda Raine, said Copping’s main issue was drug misuse.

Chair of the bench, Alastair White, said: “I must tell you it was our strong inclination to send you to prison today and you have come very close. You have had so many chances and you have blown them all.

“However we have listened to the probation officer and will go with her recommendations.”

Copping was given a 12 month community order which includes a six month drug requirement and 12 rehabilitation activity days. He was also ordered to pay £170 costs.