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A thief who was caught on camera stealing £26,000 worth of garden furniture who nearly got away with his crimes after police claimed they were 'too busy' to investigate has walked free from court.
William Coffey, 33, was given a 12-month community order and just 150 hours unpaid work after he stole a huge haul of furniture from businessman Jack Whiteley's warehouse in Leigh, Essex, last year.
Coffey, of Laindon, Essex pleaded guilty at Southend Crown Court on February 27 after he was caught on CCTV over a number of days stealing from Whiteley's warehouse.
Donna Meredith, 33, also of Laindon, Essex, was caught helping Coffey load up chairs onto van before driving away on August 26 - but the case against her was dropped.