Thief admits stealing lead from Chester church roof

Aug 23 2011 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

A THIEF admitted stealing lead from the roof of St Werburgh’s Catholic Church in Chester city centre.

Stephen George Owen, 44, of Queens Crescent, Upton, pleaded guilty at city magistrates to stealing lead from the Grosvenor Park Road church, on three consecutive days in June, worth £34.40, £19.20 and £24.80 respectively.

Owen accepted responsibility for some damage to the roof but was unwilling to plead guilty to causing £2,300 worth of damage as set out in the charge so another hearing must determine how this matter is handled.

Owen also pleaded guilty to possession of a class C drug, namely 4.6 grams of BZP and TFMPP mixed together.

His solicitor Michael Hemsley said: “The total damage to the roof as estimated, Mr Owen didn’t cause that damage. He took three small pieces of lead from the roof after the roof had already been damaged.”

Mr Hemsley said his client took the lead to metal recycling business near Chester railway station on his push bike. He argued the amount of damage alleged would have meant he had carried a ton’s worth of lead.

“He certainly couldn’t have taken that amount on his bike. He can’t admit to causing £2,000 odd worth of damage,” added Mr Hemsley.

But prosecutor Alison Warburton insisted it would cost £2,300 to carry out repairs because this included labour costs and the erection of scaffolding.

A plea and case management hearing will be held this Friday (August 26) to see if this disagreement can be settled to the satisfaction of both parties so Owen can be sentenced.

The defendant was released on bail on condition he does not enter Chester city centre or go within 100m of St Werburgh’s.