UNDERCOVER police targetting scrap metal thieves were offered boilers and radiators worth more than £6,000 by three young Burnley men, a court heard.

An operation was mounted by police last year to prevent heating equipment being stolen from houses under renovation across the borough, Burnley magistrates were told.

But defence solicitor Trevor Grice questioned the tactics employed by officers to trap his clients Jordan Peat, Carl George and Ryan Leaver.

He told the court that the trio had been approached, while walking down the street, and offered money for ‘anything they could find’.

Peat, 22, of Boundary Street, pleaded guilty to five offences of receiving stolen goods and one charge of handling stolen goods.

George, 26, of Sharp Street, admitted four receiving offences and one handling charge. Leaver, 22, of Waterbarn Street, confessed to six receiving and one handling offence.

Prosecutor Andrew Robinson said more than £8,000 worth of boilers and other related equipment, like radiators, copper piping and fireplaces, were handed over by the three.

Police arranged to meet the trio at an address in Burnley, where the stolen property was handed over. The boilers were often delivered in a vehicle.

The court heard Peat had carried out 85 previous offences, mainly thefts, but George and Leaver only had juvenile reprimands or warnings on their records.

Peat was given an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, with 12-hour attendance centre order and 12 months supervision, and £40 costs.

George was given a 12-month community order with 80 hours community service and £85 costs. Leaver was also sentenced to a 12 month community order, but with 100 hours community service and £85 costs.