A MANHOLE thief was caught in the act by Cheddar Police.

Daniel Summers was caught by officers at around 2am on July 29 with 20 drain covers in his van.

The 22-year-old, of Brompton Road in Weston, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on February 1.

He pleaded guilty to theft, driving while disqualified and without insurance and two counts of failing to surrender to custody.

Summers was handed an 18-month community order, with a Thinking Skills Programme and a 12-month driving ban.

PC Kat Forrest, of Cheddar Police, said: “We were alerted by a member of the public to two males removing drain covers and placing them in the back of a van.

“The van was stopped near Winscombe, searched and the 20 drain covers were recovered.”

Summers told police that the other person who was also arrested had nothing to do with the incident, and he was stealing the manhole and drain covers for scrap metal because he and his girlfriend were behind on rent.