UK STOLEN COMPUTERS FOUND http://www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=153005&command=displayContent&sourceNode=152831&contentPK=20184398&folderPk=86735&pNodeId=152562

'FOUND LAPTOP IN WOODS' CLAIM

09:45 - 19 March 2008

Two men caught in possession of two laptop computers stolen in a burglary, told police they found them in woodland, a court heard.

The burglary, at a Scunthorpe address, took place on October 31 last year. 

The raid was discovered at about 7am and shortly afterwards, Steven Milner and David Courtney were seen in the vicinity.

"A search of the area was carried out and some time later police attended an address where both these defendants were found," said Nigel Clive, prosecuting.

Officers recovered the two laptops.

"They said they found the laptops secreted in a woodland area," Mr Clive said.

A bank card was also taken in the burglary and Milner used this in a failed attempt to withdraw money from a cash machine in a shop, the court heard.

While out on bail, Courtney committed a burglary at a storage building on Sunningdale Road, Scunthorpe.

Grimsby Crown Court heard when the building was inspected it was discovered a large quantity of copper piping had been stolen and damage caused.

Dealing with the theft of the computers, Craig Lowe, for Courtney, said: "He came across the items and picked them up to sell on."

Speaking of the commercial burglary, Mr Lowe said his client had been told there was copper piping. He arrived at the premises and found a large amount, including cylinders, had already been removed and the damage had already been caused. Mr Lowe said Courtney had already spent three months behind bars while on remand. "He is clearly motivated to change his ways and clearly motivated to stop offending," he said.

Andrew Bailey, for Milner, conceded his client had 'a bad record' for burglaries, but said this was because he had needed to fund a heroin habit. He said: "He is doing everything he can to go back to a crime-free life."

Courtney (27), of Kingston Road, Scunthorpe, admitted theft, burglary and possessing a small quantity of crack cocaine. Milner (27), of Ferriby Road, Scunthorpe, admitted charges of theft and attempted theft. They were both given a 12-month community order, with a required 12 months' supervision and participation in drug rehabilitation.