FIVE sub-contractors, including an ex-soldier, have lost their jobs after they sold copper cable to a scrap metal merchant for £1,000 under false names.

Shepherds Engineering Services (SES) launched an inquiry after the metal, which originally belonged to the company, was located at Clancey & Sons of Murton Sidings, Murton Lane, York, said Martin Butterworth, prosecuting.

It had been sold to the scrap metal dealers by five men who used false names and addresses for the transaction.

York men Adam Robert Hart, 24, of Tang Hall Lane; Kevin Francis Hart, 27, of Hemlock Avenue, Huntington; Peter Robin Jackson, 56, of Gale Lane, Acomb; Terry Thorne, 29, of Sirocco Court, off Huntington Road, and Dominic Liam Jones, 20, of Ings Lane, Riccall, all pleaded guilty to an offence under the little-used Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 of being concerned in selling scrap metal under a false name and address to a scrap metal dealer. The maximum punishment is a small fine.

York magistrates gave all five a 12-month conditional discharge and each were ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs.

Julian Tanikal, who represented all five, said: “They have paid the ultimate price in respect of this. They have resigned or been fired in respect of this offence.”

All five were sub-contracted or contracted to a company which had been working for SES.

Four had since found other work. Adam Hart and Jones now work for City of York Council. Former Royal Signals soldier Kevin Hart, who is not related to Adam Hart, works as an electronics engineer. In his army days he had been part of a rapid response unit that was sent to conflict areas. Jackson works as a water leakage technician to a company linked to Yorkshire Water.

Thorne, the only one with a previous conviction, has yet to find another job.

The court was told all five were ashamed and embarrassed by their court appearance and wanted to apologise to the court for their actions.