TWO South Durham men pleaded guilty to stealing copper wire from an enterprise park when they appeared before magistrates in Bishop Auckland.
Karl Lawton, 21, of New Row Eldon, admitted driving 19-year-old Dwaine Beal, of Wesley Coundon Grange, and two other men to Aptec Products Ltd, at West Auckland, on July 17.
Lawton and Beal were caught after trying to sell £928 worth of wire for scrap two hours later but their companions have not been traced.
The pair told police they had sold it elsewhere for £100 each.
The bench ordered them to pay £460 each in compensation and imposed community orders.
Lawton was sentenced to 300 hours community work and Beal to 200 hours.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article