Morecambe thieves took dry-stone wall from Trough of Bowland (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Morecambe thieves took dry-stone wall from Trough of Bowland

5:48pm Monday 18th July 2011 in News By Andrew Bellard, Court reporter

THREE men have admitted stealing a dry-stone wall from an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Blackburn magistrates heard the men dismantled a large section of a dry-stone wall in the Trough of Bowland.

They were stopped by a police patrol in the early hours of the morning because the back of their van was low on its suspension.

The driver told the officer there were just ‘bits and pieces’ in the back.

But when he opened the doors lumps of the stone fell out onto the road.

Christopher Andrew Buck, 25, of Marine Road West, Ryan Howard, 23, of Low Road, and Robert Macintyre, 25, of Heysham Road, all Morecambe, pleaded guilty to theft of a dry-stone wall belonging to Karen Parker.

They were all made subject to an electronically monitored curfew between 9 pm and 7 am for three months and ordered to pay £150 with £85 costs.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said the Bowland area had a large quantity of stone walling and in recent months theft of stone had become a problem.

“The police have introduced patrols to combat this problem and one of then saw the defendants’ van near Slaidburn,” said Miss Allan, who applied for £450 to rebuild the wall to the standard required by English Heritage.

Kevin Bamber, defending, said it was an unsophisticated crime committed by three men looking to make a small amount of money.

“The stone was all recovered but we accept the wall has to be rebuilt and that has to be paid for,” said Mr Bamber.

Det Sgt Nigel Watson from Clitheroe CID said that dry stone theft was a growing problem in remote areas.

He said: “The stone walls and outbuildings in Ribble Valley are an important part of its heritage.

“Our patrols are aware of this type of crime and are vigilant to the signs of it.

“But we cover an enormous area and we would also value the public’s assistance in reporting anything suspicious.”