A SCRAP dealer who paid undercover police for cable he believed had been stolen has been spared jail because of impressive personal references.
Bernard Porter, 62, of Old Field Lane, Wisbech, admitted six offences of attempting to convert criminal property between April and August last year.
Undercover officers had gone to Porter’s scrapyard six times offering BT and EDF cabling as part of Cambridgeshire Police’s Operation Hapsford, targeting trade in stolen goods. Officers were offered amounts ranging from �60 to �160.
Recorder Gabrielle Posner said she decided not to impose a custodial sentence after reading letters from members of the community who gave glowing references about the 62-year-old and mentioned his charity work.
Porter was handed a 12-month community order of 200 hours’ unpaid work.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here