Man arrested trying to break open stolen Leeds Council parking meter with an angle grinder in his living room

Officers were sent to the house on Compton Road, Harehills, after outraged members of the public saw Mohammed Siddique carrying the machine into his home and reported him.

Leeds Crown Court heard the meter had been stolen on August 3 last year after being removed from its mounting at Quarry Hill car park.

Louise Pryke, prosecuting, said police saw the meter in the living room when they went into the property.

She said: "When police arrived they described the room as being full of smoke as the defendant had been trying to break into the machine using an angle grinder."

Ms Pryke said the parking meter was worth £6,000.

Siddique was arrested but refused to comment when interviewed.

He was released on bail but was arrested again on October 10 for dangerous driving.

Siddique drove off in his friend's VW Golf after he got out of the driver's seat to drop off some milk.

The friend phoned the police and the car was spotted by officer's being driven on Newton Road, Harehills.

Siddique failed to stop and sped off along Harehills Lane.

He drove onto Chapeltown Road and mounted a pavement before crashing.

Siddique, 27, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods, dangerous driving and driving without insurance.

He has previous convictions for aggravated vehicle taking and handling stolen goods.

Jane Cooper, mitigating, said Siddique suffered from mental health problems.

The court heard his condition was made worse by using cannabis and spice.

Referring to the parking meter incident, Judge Geoffrey Marson QC, said: "The maximum sentence for this (offence) is 26 weeks in custody.

"Council tax-paying members of the public might be somewhat surprised by that."

Siddique was given a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to complete ten rehabilitation activity requirement days.

The judge told Siddique: "You have to understand that you have to take your medication and that you have to avoid cannabis and spice.

"Because if you take them, you will re-offend."