The offences involved scrap metal worth up to £12,000 taken from High Royds Hospital at Menston.

They were remanded on bail and told to report back on January 19. They did not enter a plea.

Christopher Gwilliams, 39, of Parkwood Rise, Keighley, is charged with stealing scrap metal worth £12,000 between July 1 and November 30 last year.

Philip Quigley, 34, of Silk Mill Drive, Tinshill, Leeds, was charged with handling scrap metal worth £504.53 between September and November last year and also using a vehicle without insurance.

David Nicholson, 28, of Weston Lane, Otley, was charged with three separate offences of handling scrap metal worth £500 on September 14; metal worth £178.50 on September 27; and metal worth an unspecified amount on September 27.

Craig Widowson, 32, of Aireville Terrace, Burley-in-Wharfedale, was accused of stealing scrap metal worth £12,000 between July 1 and November 30.

John Moat, 34, of Tinshill Mount, Leeds, was accused of handling scrap metal worth £3,588 between September 1 and November 30.

The magistrates heard that Moat was currently being treated in the intensive care unit at Leeds General Infirmary with a drugs-related problem. He was admitted on Christmas Day and was given unconditional bail until January 19.

The bench issued a warrant for the arrest of Widowson who did not appear in time for the start of the hearing. But they withdrew it when he arrived late. He said he had been delayed by a train holdup.

Gwilliams, Quigley and Widowson were given bail on condition that they did not enter scrap metal yards and did not benefit from the sale of scrap metal.

Nicholson was given bail on condition that he lived at his stated address and that he complied with a drugs intervention programme.