Caught . . . in church stake-out

A man was caught red-handed trying to steal lead from the roof of a church - after the vicar and warden lay in wait in a sleepy village on the Shropshire border.

St Chad's Church in Pattingham had been targeted by raiders the night before 21-year-old Andrew Russell and an accomplice scaled the building to remove lead flashing, which he intended to sell for scrap.

Their every move was being watched by church warden Dave Challinor and the Reverend John Daimond.

They called the police and the pair were caught red-handed.

Russell, of Patricia Crescent, Dudley, was today starting a jail sentence of three years and three months for offences including the attempted theft at the early 13th century church.

His accomplice is still to be dealt with.

The case is the latest example of metal thefts costing churches, businesses and home-owners tens of thousands of pounds every week in the West Midlands.

Mr Challinor realised metal had been stolen when rainwater began leaking into the church.

When parishioners went to cover the roof in tarpaulin, they found a garden spade and fork used by the thieves to lever the lead from the stone and a quantity of rolled-up lead which they had left behind.

Mr Challinor, 65, said: "It looked as if they'd taken as much as their van could carry and intended to come back for the rest.

"We wondered whether they would dare chance their luck a second time."

He and Mr Daimond, who retired two months ago, decided to keep vigil overnight and were soon rewarded.

"It was about quarter to midnight when the vicar and myself spotted some movement up on the roof and immediately called the police."

Mr Challinor added: "About six officers attended, two of them climbed the church tower where they could see the thieves and talk them into into coming down.

"It was a very satisfying result."

Russell, 21, of Dudley, admitted attempted theft and also admitted a burglary in Dudley and trying to smuggle cannabis into Blakenhurst prison.

Worcester Crown Court was told he was well qualified to steal lead flashing - he was a trained roofer.