Unpaid work for lead thief

Mar 1 2013 by Colin Rutherford, Kilmarnock Standard

A man who stole lead from his own roof has been ordered to carry out 175 hours of unpaid work.

William Marrs, 28, of Auchinleck, previously pleaded guilty to stealing lead from the roof of the flat he was renting in John Finnie Street, Kilmarnock, in August last year.

Isobel Vincent, prosecuting, told Kilmarnock Sheriff Court: “It was 11.30am when the accused was seen on the top of the roof with a saw in his hand.”

Marrs was then seen sawing off pieces of lead before putting them through a window.

Police were called and went to the scene where they met Marrs in the close.

“He admitted he was on the roof taking the lead,” said Ms Vincent.

The value of the lead was £250, while the cost of repairing the roof was £450.

Said Allan Kerr, defending: “As far as this offence is concerned, it was, in fact, his own flat, which was a wee bit short-sighted.”

The solicitor said that Marrs had told him that his landlord had forgiven him and had allowed him to stay in the flat for a further few months.

Marrs, said Mr Kerr, was dealing with his problems, including his drinking.

While in prison on remand, he had been attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and other counselling.

“He has managed to persuade his mother that he had got himself sorted,” said Mr Kerr.

Sheriff Iona McDonald told Marrs: “It seems you have taken some positive steps to deal with a variety of difficulties.”

She noted, however, that he was assessed as being at a high risk of re-offending and warned him that, if he did, he faced a custodial sentence.

Marrs was placed on a community payback order with the conditions of unapid work and paying compensation of £450 to his former landlord.