A MAN who hired plant equipment on half a dozen occasions, but never returned the property, has been given a nine months jail sentence.

The prison term will be added onto an 18 months sentence Darryn Whiteoak is already serving for burglary.

Preston Crown Court heard that several companies had no qualms about hiring out property as they recognised him from working in the trade.

Whiteoak, aged 33, of Mosley Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to six charges of theft of plant and machinery and one charge of obtaining property by deception. Mr David Riddell, prosecuting, said in May this year Whiteoak opened a bank account with the HSBC in Blackburn with a one pound deposit.

He was given a cheque card, but no money was ever paid into that account. The thefts occurred over an eight day period in July. He went to plant hire companies to hire property for a five day period. Several of the firms recognised him from previous employment in the trade. They therefore had no qualms about taking details from him, including driving licence and passport numbers.

The total value of the goods hired was £5,478. Deposit cheques Whiteoak had handed over were returned back as stopped. The defendant told police following arrest that he had been acting on someone else's behalf and he had expected that person to pay.

Mr Nick Kennedy, defending, said the offences were committed on bail, but apart from that, and the value involved, there were no aggravating features.

Whiteoak had suffered a devastating blow while in custody. His wife had decided she did not want to continue their relationship.

Judge Andrew Blake said there had been a degree of sophistication in the offences as Whiteoak had opened a bank account primarily for that purpose.

The nine months term will run consecutive to the 18 months imposed in October.