An attempt to steal fuel from a national oil pipeline appears to have been thwarted after a 29-year-old man was charged with two offences following an incident in Ludlow on Wednesday 8th April.

West Mercia Police were carrying out routine patrols along the route of a national fuel pipeline when they came across a parked Ford Panel van in a lay by on the A49 around midnight.

The vehicle contained three hidden 1,000 gallon barrel drums in the rear as well as pumping equipment. A check of the area suggested the national pipeline had been attacked and possibly modified to drain fuel from that point.

Following this Mantas Adomaitis, 29, of no fixed abode was arrested and charged with going equipped for theft and driving without insurance. He was been remanded in custody and appeared at Hereford Magistrates Court on Monday 13th April.

He was been remanded in custody until his next court appearance at Worcester Crown Court on 20th July.