Drug addict jailed for £7000 church swipe

A THIEF who stripped more than 100 kilos of lead from a church roof and left the congregation with a £7000 repair bill has been jailed.

Drug addict Gary Cumming stole lead worth thousands to pay for his habit - but sold it for just 58.

Cumming visited St John's Episcopal Church in Perth on several occasions to swipe lead and eventually left a gaping hole in the roof.

At Perth Sheriff Court yesterday, Cumming was jailed for seven months.

Cumming, 45, of Oxgangs Avenue, admitted stealing lead from Perth church between July 3 and 7 last year.

Fiscal depute Robbie Brown told the court: "Police have spoken to the persons carrying out the repairs and it will cost up to 7000 to cover the damage.

"The accused was able to remove the lead in a manner which was not compliant with health and safety. However, it will have to be put back using scaffolding, which is more expensive.

"It has obviously caused a considerable amount of damage."

Sheriff Michael Fletcher told the father-of-three he had no option but to impose a custodial sentence.