A THIEF has been ordered to pay £110 compensation and discharged conditionally for six months after stealing three copper pipes from a commercial property in Barrow.

Robert Benjamin Carroll, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to theft at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

On 13 May 2020, the 34-year-old trespassed into a part of the property and entered an external toilet where found the copper pipes.

Prosecutor Peter Kelly told the court: "The circumstances of this as I understand is a commercial property and the offence took place at the rear.

"The owner of the property became aware of a problem as there was water invading the premises on 14 May.

"He has then checked the external toilets and discovered that someone had gone inside and removed the pipe work and then called a plumber.

"There is CCTV footage which shows someone entered the property at the relevant time."

The CCTV footage was broadcast in court and identified Carroll trespassing onto the property.

After Carroll stole three copper pipes, the property's owner spent £110 on repairs, which Carroll will now cover.

The court heard that Carroll was currently without a home and not receiving any benefits.

He will be required to pay £20 each month from 8 July 2021.