STOLE COPPER PIPING: Two young men facing Wirral Magistrates for attempted theft realised they had acted in a dangerous and foolish way and could easily have caused injury to themselves, said defence solicitor Matt Harvey.

He represented Thomas Wayne Harris, 20 and John David Morris, 20, both of Ash Villas in Ashville Road, Wallasey.

They admitted attempting to steal copper piping belonging to the Mersey Tunnel Authority at Pacific Road in Birkenhead.

Prosecutor Andrew Hodgson said they had attempted to cut through piping.

A holdall with two saws and a knife inside was recovered at the scene.

Both accused were bailed to obtain probations reports before sentence.

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CHARITY JAR THEFT CHARGE: Two young men were bailed for further inquiries and made it a condition they do not enter any churches or religious establishments unless for the purpose of official church services.

At Wirral Magistrates' Court, Michael Jones, 19, of Acre Lane, Bromborough, and Ryan Goodacre, 21, of Inglemere Road, Rock Ferry, were charged with entering St Barnabas Church Centre at Bromborough and stealing a charity jar containing £40 in early November.

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CANNABIS FINE: Police who stopped a vehicle detected a smell of cannabis and recovered two bags containing the drug, prosecutor Andrew Hodgson told Magistrates.

Michael John Shaw, 23, of Byrne Avenue, Rock Ferry, admitted unlawful possession of the Class B controlled drug.

He was fined £100 plus £100 costs.

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DRUGS SUPPLY CHARGE: Magistrates declined to deal summarily with a 30-year-old man facing drugs matters.

Allan Wilson, of Orchard Court, Birkenhead, is charged with possessing cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply in November at a garage in Norman Street, Birkenhead.

He was bailed until January 31 for committal proceedings.

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ATTACKED WOMAN: District Judge Michael Abelson at Wirral Magistrates' Court warned a Birkenhead man he would face prison if he attacked a woman again.

James O’Hara,22, of Brougham Avenue, admitted assault by beating and also causing damage to a window at Birkenhead in October.

The judge said the guilty plea, only minor injury and the absence of a record, enabled him to deal lightly with the case on this occasion.

He made an 18-month supervision order to include O’Hara attending a programme dealing with violence. There was no other penalty.

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SNATCHED HANDBAGS FROM CAR: A 30-year-old father-of-six who snatched property from a parked car suffered from boredom, defence solicitor Gerald Pachter told Magistrates.

He said Christopher John Brunt of Tollemache Road, Birkenhead needed work so he could become a decent father.

Brunt admitted theft of two handbags and contents worth approximately £400 at Wallasey. He made off on a bike after the theft but was later questioned.

Magistrates bailed Brunt for reports with a view to him attending a problem-solving course as part of a supervision order.

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SHOPLIFTER IS BAILED: Facing Magistrates for two thefts from a Birkenhead store in three days, a 27-year-old man said he was stupid for doing it.

On the first occasion, Andrew Cusato made good his escape although the property he stole was recovered by security staff.

On his return visit to the HMV store, police were alerted and he was stopped leaving with property concealed in his pockets.

Cusato, of Mount Road, Birkenhead, admitted theft of a Guitar Hero Console Kit worth £69 from HMV at the Grange Road Pyramid Centre and later theft of a console game worth £29.

He was bailed for a probation report with all sentencing options kept open.

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ARSON ALLEGATIONS: A Birkenhead woman facing arson allegations was sent to the Crown Court by Wirral Magistrates.

Helen Farrell, 47, of Upper Brassey Street, was bailed to face a judge on April 7.

She is charged with causing damage by fire at Birkenhead in October intending to endanger the life of others.

The second matter covers the same allegation but with the added matter of being reckless as to whether the lives of others would be endangered.

The allegations are only triable at the higher court.