A Man questioned by police in connection with the Trowbridge drive-by shooting pleaded guilty to stealing a saw from a scrapyard skip.

Robert Cook, of Carders Corner, Trowbridge, appeared before North West Wiltshire Magistrates' Court last Thursday in relation to a theft from a skip at Gardiner Scrap Metal Merchant, Drynham Lane.

The court heard how Cook, an avid hoarder, took the electric Black and Decker saw out of the skip to use at home.

However, the saw was stolen from a Trowbridge garage in July along with several shotguns, one of which was used in the drive-by shooting on County Way.

Amanda Sawetz, prosecuting, said Cook was questioned about the burglary at the garage in Drynham Lane, Trowbridge, but claimed he only took the electric saw from a skip in the nearby scrapyard.

Tony Bignall, defending, said that police at the time were desperate to track down the missing shotguns and discovered Cook had the saw in his flat.

He said: "All the time the shotguns were at large there was a danger of them being used.

"Somehow or other it had got to the police that something from this haul was at Mr Cook's premises."

He added: "He was rummaging in the skip and found the saw so he took it home and thought no more about it.

"It was then thought that Cook was responsible for the burglary and therefore knew about the rest of the haul including the shotguns.

"Mercifully sense was seen a week later even though Cook had no idea where the shotguns were."

Cook was given a six month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £50 costs.

By Craig Evry