COMPUTER equipment worth more than £10,000 was stolen in raids on three firms on the Hartlebury industrial estate a year ago, the prosecution alleged in court at Kidderminster.

Philip Harthill, 21, of Whitehall Road, and John Clarke, 20, of Dunkirk Avenue, both West Bromwich, and Michael Payne, 21, of Oldacre Road, Oldbury, are charged with breaking into Larchlap, Micropore and Teer Coatings and with going equipped for theft.

They were bailed to be back in court on September 4.