Pair with saw tried to steal parking meter

A MAN took an electric saw to a parking meter claiming it swallowed 1.20 without giving him a ticket. Paul Grandidge, 35, and accomplice Simon Myers, 37, of Normanton, near Wakefield, tried to steal the machine under the cover of darkness at 11pm on February 4.

The pair were hoping to slice it off at the base and drain it of cash but police caught them red-handed next to the damaged machine and wielding the large tool at the car park in Sun Lane, Wakefield.

Prosecuting at Wakefield Magistrates’ Court, Stephen Fox said: “The meter is a hefty, huge machine. It would appear someone had attempted to saw away at the base to cut through and steal the machine. “ Grandidge claimed he had lost 1.20 earlier and was trying to retrieve it – an explanation described as “farcical” by Mr Fox.

Solicitor Caroline Deacon, on behalf of both men who admitted attempted theft, said Grandidge had been “unhappy” after the machine failed to produce a ticket for him earlier.

She added that he had hired the saw to renovate his house and had then hatched a plan to get the cash out of the machine.

Unemployed Myers, who had no previous convictions, told the court that “times were hard” and his friend admitted he had been “stupid”. Deputy district judge Joanne Hirst said: “This is a nuisance crime. It is inconvenient for the local authority and the community as well.”

Grandidge, who had previous convictions, got a 12-month community order with 80 hours of unpaid work. He will also pay 85 in court costs and 50 compensation. Myers was given a 12-month conditional discharge and must pay the same.