Norwich car thief spared prison term

Mary HamiltonA city father who stole a car to order was spared prison when he appeared at Norwich Crown Court.Mary Hamilton

A city father who stole a car to order was spared prison when he appeared at Norwich Crown Court.

Lee Beane, 31, admitted stealing two cars from a car dealership in separate crimes last year and stealing number plates from a third car.

Prosecuting yesterday, Martin Ivory said his crimes came to light when a car was stopped for having no tax disc on November 29 last year, and it quickly became clear it was stolen.

He added that a Ford Focus with stolen number plates was also found parked in Norwich, and scene of crime officers discovered Beane's fingerprints on the back of the plates.

Michael Clare, mitigating, said Beane had turned to crime when income from his business as a builder fell.

He said that Beane supported his 14-year-old son, whose behavioural difficulties made it difficult for anyone else to cope with him.

Judge Alasdair Darroch said: 'One vehicle was stolen to order which is very close to professional crime.

'This is a very serious offence - if you commit further offences like this you will go to prison.'

Beane, of Sprowston Road, Norwich, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of motor vehicles, fraudulent use of plates and handling stolen goods.

He was given a total of 40 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, with a supervision order for nine months and 200 hours of unpaid work, and must pay �500 towards court costs.