by Keith Hunt

A crook who tried to sell a stolen decontamination trailer used for asbestos removal at a boot fair has been spared a jail sentence.

Trevor White, 45, put a price tag of £1,200 on the trailer, which cost £15,000 new, at the fair at Pedham Place, Swanley.

Maidstone Crown Court heard it was stolen from Forest Environmental at Bourne Industrial Estate, Bourne Road, Dartford, along with vacuum cleaners used for removing asbestos dust.

Alistair Keith, prosecuting, said thieves put themselves in danger because of the risk of entering an area contaminated with asbestos without protective equipment.

The council issued a warning about the dangers through local radio and newspapers.

White, of Gavestone Road, Lee, South East London, admitted handling stolen goods after a judge indicated he would not impose an immediate prison sentence.

Raphael Jesurum, defending, said White, who spent time in custody on remand, did not know the trailer’s full purpose and thought it was for storage.

Sentencing White to a community order with supervision, Judge David Griffith-Jones QC said the stolen property was not of insignificant value.