A MAN who planned to steal copper cable that was abandoned near a busy road has been sentenced to eight weeks in prison.

David Boyce, 43, and Christian Oliver, 39, both of Darlington, found cable belonging to BT in a ditch at the rear of Boyce's home, in Haughton Road, Darlington, on Tuesday.

Boyce and Oliver, of Stocksmoor Close, were found with wheelbarrows, a penknife, a Stanley knife and taped bundles of cable.

Newton Aycliffe magistrates yesterday heard that the cable, from a BT depot in Banks Road, Darlington, was worth about £500.

It had been stolen previouslyand had been returned to BT, which had placed it in a skip for damaged items.

It is not known how the cable then came to be in the ditch, but the men denied stealing it, saying they came across it by accident and had wanted to make some easy money.

Boyce and Oliver both admitted charges of theft and of going equipped to steal.

Magistrates chairwoman Margaret Cunningham said: "This country is concerned aboutmetal theft and it is having a devastating effect on the country."

Boyce had been released 46 days early from a prison sentence for another offence and was sentenced to complete his sentence.

He was also sentenced to eight weeks in jail for the new offences, with the sentences to run together.

Oliver was bailed to appear at Darlington Magistrates' Court on December 15 after a pre-sentence report is prepared.