A MALVERN man will spend the New Year in custody after stealing £7,000 worth of gardening equipment from a sports club.

Kevin Parker stole the garden equipment from Manor Park Club but the registrations of two vehicles leaving the scene were noted down and passed on to police.

Enquiries led officers to the 24-year-old's home in Moat Crescent, Malvern, where a gas barbecue set valued at £98 belonging to the club was found, Worcester Magistrates heard.

A further search of the premises turned up more stolen property including a pair of pruners, power tools, a strimmer, a pressure washer and a motorcycle, said John Barnett prosecuting.

"In police interview he said he was not bothered about handling stolen goods because it did not hurt anyone," said Mr Barnett at the hearing on Monday, December 23.

Charles Hamer, defending, said Parker's life had deteriorated rapidly after he suffered a brain injury in a traffic accident six years ago.

Following the accident, Parker suffered from depression and attempted suicide, the court heard.

Parker admitted handling stolen goods, but denied burglary until moments before his trial was due to begin on Thursday, August 15.

Mr Hamer drew the bench's attention to the cases of Regina V McInerney and Regina V Keating heard in the Court of Appeal last week . He said Lord Chief Justice Lord Woolf set down the guidelines that first-time domestic burglars, particularly those with drug problems, should be given community rather than custodial punishment.

"This is not a domestic burglary, it is a commercial burglary which most people would consider less serious," said Mr Hamer.

However, the bench ruled Parker deserved a custodial sentence because the crime was so serious.

"The burglary was premeditated and you were planning to set up a business from the proceeds," said the chairman.

"You have shown no remorse and not all the goods have been recovered."

Parker was sentenced to 12 weeks for burglary, four weeks for dishonestly receiving stolen goods, and four weeks for dishonestly receiving the motorcycle, to be served concurrently.