Man who stole televisions from Worcester tip awaits fate

Chigozie Edmunds, of no fixed abode but who has a care of address of Chestnut Grange, Offenham, told the staff member: "I'm going to find out where you live and cut you up" after making a racist remark to him.

Victim Matthew Hughes told Worcester Magistrates Court he had been "shaking" after Edmunds made the comment when he challenged him about his stealing. 

The 31-year-old previously admitted two charges of theft by finding and driving without a licence and insurance.

He appeared in court on Monday (November 28) charged with an offence of causing harassment, alarm and distress. 

GUILTY: Chigozie Edmunds is waiting to learn his fate (Image: Sam Greenway/Newsquest)

Colin Phillips, prosecuting, told the court Edmunds drove onto Bilford Road Recycling Centre in Worcester on June 12. 

Magistrates watched CCTV of Edmunds parking up next to a container full of televisions ready to be recycled, removing them and putting them into his car. 

On the witness stand Mr Hughes said: "I told him to sling his hook.

"He threatened to cut me up. I was really upset and hurt."

In cross-examination Mark Turnbull, defending Edmonds, highlighted the victim had made a middle finger gesture to the defendant - Mr Hughes explaining that was how he reacted after hearing Edmunds' comments. 

COURT: Chigozie Edmunds appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court

"I'm entitled to work in a safe environment and also to protect the public," Mr Hughes added. 

Giving evidence Edmunds told magistates he would have "never" made a racist slur and also denied threatening to cut up Mr Hughes. 

But magistrates had to give Edmunds a warning for non-compliance in answering questions.

And they ultimately rejected his denials as they found Edmunds guilty. 

THEFT: Chigozie Edmunds is still to be sentenced for stealing televisions from tips. (Image: Getty Images)

At the end of the trial, the prosecutor said Edmonds was also to be sentenced for driving the BMW, used in the thefts, when he had no licence or insurance.

He added Edmunds had also recently been sentenced for dangerous driving. 

Mr Turnbull argued the matters could be dealt with by a fine as he said the racism had been "one word" and it was not the most serious case. 

On the theft offences, the solicitor said Edmunds had struggled to understand taking from the tip was a criminal offence. 

READ MORE: Man who stole televisions from tips not allowed at waste and recycling centres

READ MORE: Latest cases heard at Worcester Magistrates Court

"He was taking the televisions in order to repair them, passing them onto people in difficult financial situations," Mr Turnbull said.

"It was not sophisticated."

Sarah Amos, chairman of the magistrates bench, told Edmunds they would adjourn sentencing for an "all options" report on him. 

The chairman added his previous conditional bail - which has one condition he must not enter any waste and recycling centre in Worcestershire - would continue.

Edmunds was told to return to court for sentencing on December 19.

• Edmunds had previously denied 14 other charges of theft by finding, all of televisions from tips. 

The televisions had been alleged by the prosecution to have been stolen from tips in Worcester, Stourport, Pershore and Malvern between March 16 and June 14 this year.

But on Monday magistrates discontinued those matters following an application from the prosecution.

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