Fines have been handed down to two men who stole power generators from Helsby Rugby Club .
John Reilly, 24, and Patrick Doyle, 30, both of The Old Pumping Station, Hares Lane, Frodsham , admitted stealing the three generators worth between £1,000 and £1,500.
Reilly and Doyle each pleaded guilty to one charge of theft at Chester Magistrates Court on March 14.
They were pulled over by police on Chester Road heading towards Frodsham in a van with the stolen generators inside in the early hours of November 7 last year.
There was evidence of ‘fresh mud’ in the vehicle and the prosecution said they had dragged the engines across the rugby club’s field off Chester Road in Helsby .
Mark Dimelow, 35, of Overton Close, Frodsham , is also charged with the theft, but did not appear for the hearing and will be tried at a later date.
A fourth man, the owner of the getaway van, had already pleaded guilty to the offence and been fined.
Ian Morris, defending, said Reilly and Doyle were both self employed and undertook gardening work.
He said: “The generators were in the process of being driven away when the men were stopped by police. It’s clear the theft was distinctly unsuccessful.”
The generators, which were being used to power floodlights, have been returned to the rugby club.
Reilly was fined £270 and Doyle £205, both must also pay £250 costs and a victim surcharge.
