A MAN was caught by police as he and another man stripped roof slates from a derelict factory.

Anthony Long admitted to police that he was stealing the slates so he could sell them to buy alcohol.

Long, aged 21, of Fern Grove, Bury, admitted burglary, two charges of assault, two of criminal damage, theft, possession of an offensive weapon, and failing to surrender to bail.

Long and the other man were arrested at the factory at Bridgehall Lane, Bury. He was charged and bailed, but failed to appear at court.

The court also heard that Long had been involved in a fight with a 23-year-old man over an ex-girlfriend.

The victim, Derek Holt, was punched to the floor by Long and kicked. The man suffered two black eyes, and swelling and bruising.

Long later went to his former partner Danielle Canterbury's home but, when she refused to let him inside, he kicked his way into the house and assaulted her. While still on bail, Long went with his brother to a homeless persons' hostel and kicked a payphone from the wall and ran off. He used the cash to buy drink.

He was finally re-arrested when police saw him in a garden in Fern Grove, Bury, clutching a pair of rice flails. He admitted to police that the martial arts weapon was his and that he was planning to use the flails in a fight.

Recorder Clement Goldstone, QC, jailed him for 15 months.