A teenager went on a catalytic converter thieving spree has been jailed for 13 months.

Kyle Simmonds, 18, of Robins Way, Hersham, pleaded guilty to two thefts from a motor vehicle and one count of going equipped to steal.

But at Guildford Crown Court on Friday, September 24, he asked for a further 43 catalytic converter thefts to be taken into account.

Simmonds was initially arrested in Island Farm Road, West Molesey, on May 11 when members of the public reported a man climbing under a silver Mercedes van belonging to a nearby business.

The court heard officers discovered a pair of bolt clippers and a pipe cutter in a nearby white Vauxhall Combi van being driven by Simmonds, who was later arrested, along with another 18-year-old man.

Simmonds was later charged with thefts from cars in Chertsey and Ashtead, but the majority of the thefts took place in Elmbridge – including Esher, Hersham, East Molesey, West Molesey, Weybridge and Walton.

Simmonds, who stole the metal devices to then sell on for scrap metal, also operated in Byfleet and Chessington, and one theft took place in Slough.

PC James Cumming, of Staines CID, said: “A huge amount of work went into identifying Simmonds and linking him to the numerous offences which he was responsible for, across the county and beyond.

“Over a period of several months earlier this year, Simmonds carried out a sustained campaign of thefts of catalytic converters by cutting them from parked vehicles, usually vans or lorries.

“He caused just under £40,000 of damage to vehicles across the county in his relentless pursuit of catalytic converters, which he then sold on as scrap metal.

“He clearly gave no thought to the impact and disruption his actions would cause for members of the public – the and businesses he stole from.

“He was concerned with taking as much metal as he could.”