Thief is jailed after blowing last chance

CHURCH roof lead thief John Steel has been jailed for breaching his suspended sentence.

The 28-year-old drug addict stole lead worth more than £5,000 from St James's Church in Audley last May.

In March he was given a chance by Judge Robert Trevor-Jones who sentenced him to 40-weeks in prison, suspended for two years.

But he failed to attend an appointment with probation officers on April 20 and then missed the breach hearing.

He appeared at the court on May 27 after a warrant was issued and admitted breaching the order. His counsel, Joanne Wallbanks, said Steel, of Wereton Road, Audley, was suffering from Deep Vein Thrombosis and had a twisted ankle.

She said he had failed to notify probation staff of his medical problems and added that he did attend court, but arrived late because of his medical condition.

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones adjourned the case for two weeks to allow Steel's defence time to obtain a prognosis of his medical condition.

But he failed to turn up at court on Wednesday. He was arrested and admitted the breach of his bail conditions when he appeared yesterday.

The court was told the medical issue has not been proved.

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones activated the 40 week sentence and added four weeks for the breach of bail.

Time spent on remand and on curfew, 114 days, were deducted from the term.

The judge told Steel: "In March you were given a chance. You failed from the outset."