An Inland Revenue worker who admitted running a pirate radio station in Birmingham as a hobby has been told he will be ordered to do community service.

John Stepney (20), of Carnwath Road, Sutton Coldfield, ran Fresh FM which broadcast throughout the city.

Birmingham magistrates heard Stepney was caught on the top of Normandy Tower, Erdington, holding an aerial that had wires attached to the electricity supply of the lift shaft of the building on August 31 2004.

"The concierge noticed two men on the roof of the tower," said Gregory Perrins, prosecuting.

"One was Stepney. There were extensions coming from the aerial and it was attached to the lift's electricity.

"The conciege saw two males on the roof. One of them was using a key to gain access to the roof.

"The police were called and Mr Stepney was arrested for possession of a transmitter.

"He admitted he put a transmitter on the roof and it had broadcast over the weekend."

The court heard Stepney managed the station between March and May 2004 and then again in August 2004. He pleaded guilty to participating in the management of a broadcast station by which unauthorised broadcasts were made in a prosecution bought by the Office of Communications (OFCOM).

Mr Perrins said the other man on the roof was not prosecuted as Stepney admitted he was to blame for the station.

Chair of the bench Nancy Littler warned the offence was so serious Stepney could expect a community punishment order.

She adjourned the case until next month for sentencing.