Man told police he liked to take scrap

Gwilym Hughes was seen in a skip wearing a head-torch at the Lytham tip on Saltcotes Road.

Hughes, 58, of Hawthorn Avenue, Ashton, Wigan, pleaded guilty to possessing a head-torch and scissors for use in theft.

He was sentenced to an eight-week tagged curfew from 11pm to 7am and ordered to pay £40 costs with £60 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Peter Bardsley, prosecuting, said police saw Hughes in a skip at Lytham tip on December 1 at 9.30pm.

He had electric wire in his hands and told officers he was cutting it from items with a view to selling them for scrap.

Mr Bardsley added: “He said he lived alone and when he got bored he had an urge to travel to places and get scrap. He said it was more like a hobby.”

John McLaren, defending, said Hughes often went to waste depots when they were open and talked to the staff.

He had been to visit a friend in Lytham and went to the tip thinking it would be open. He wanted a bicycle wheel for a family member.

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