A BURGLAR who broke into a Kendal scrap metal dealership and stole £3,000 worth of property has been sentenced by a judge.

Joseph Ridsdale, 20, committed the night-time crime at the Beezon Road trading estate premises with two accomplices after the site was left secured on the night of March 1 last year. It was suggested an angle grinder had been used to remove a gate padlock, before a vehicle was hot-wired and used to rip open a secure container with chains.

Ridsdale and his partners-in-crime removed cabling and a quantity of power tools, worth £3,000 in total. He and his brother, Bradley, were identified as culprits after Lancashire police stopped a van after the crime.

Ridsdale, who admitted burglary, was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court today. After hearing the defendant was "motivated" to turn away from offending, Judge James Adkin suspended an eight-month custodial sentence for 12 months.

Ridsdale, of Hope Street, Accrington, must also complete a four-month night-time curfew and rehabilitation.

*The court heard Bradley Ridsdale "remains outstanding on a warrant".