Thief jailed for equipment scam

A criminal who pretended to act for McNicholas Construction has been jailed for three years after hiring more than £100,000-worth of equipment without the intention of returning it.

Late last year, Glen Harris of Westcombe Hill, Blackheath, hired dumpers, excavators, breakers, a generator and a compaction plate from M & J Hire Centre, but staff became suspicious. "Things just didn't ring right," said M & J negotiator John Nicholson.

Staff tried to apprehend Harris as he collected equipment from a depot, but he ran off before the police arrived and was later traced through his abandoned van.