MAGISTRATES have convicted a thief of stealing York stone flags from a property in Farnworth.

Andrew Hockey, aged 30, of Glebe Street, Leigh had denied being one of three men who took the 12 flags from a property in Lower Market Street on May 30 last year.

His trial at Bolton Magistrates’ Court went ahead in his absence yesterday after he failed to turn up for the hearing.

Victoria Norman, prosecuting, told the court how Nicholas Jeffery, landlord of the property, was texted by a neighbour who had contacted the police and advised him that someone was stealing the paving.

Officers, on the lookout for a transit van believed to be involved, spotted it on Manchester Road near Green Lane, then followed and stopped it on Mossfield Road, Farnworth.

Three men were in the vehicle, including Hockey, who was driving and, inside the van, was a stack of large York stones.

After finding the case against Hockey proved, magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest.