by Joe Walker

joewalker@thekmgroup.co.uk

A disgraced ex-soldier caught stealing lead from the roof of Canterbury High has been told to pay the school £1,000.

David Watson was hit with the bill after he admitted ripping the metal from the school’s roof in an early-morning raid last week.

The 21-year-old, who was booted out of the Army after a conviction for assault, also owned up to stealing £770 worth of jewellery from his mother.

Canterbury magistrates heard police were called to Canterbury High at 3am on Thursday following reports of intruders on the roof.

A dog handler arrived on the scene and saw three men walking towards him.

The trio turned and ran after spotting the officer, who gave chase with his police dog.

The PC warned the trio to stop or he would release the dog, but they continued to run, hurdling fences as they fled.

The police dog was pushed over one fence to continue the chase as another officer joined the pursuit.

He managed to take one of the men, later identified as Watson, to the ground and he was arrested after a short struggle. The other men got away.

Homeless Watson admitted he had been on the roof, throwing lead down to his accomplices to stack up.

They had only been caught when they went searching for a wheelie bin to carry the haul. The school said £1,500 of damage had been caused to the roof.

Watson pleaded guilty to the theft and asked the court to take into consideration the jewellery he stole from his mum.

He stole £770 worth while a guest at her house and pawned it for extra cash.

Only £150 of it was recovered.

Defending, Lucy Welsh said Watson had been struggling financially and committed the offences to earn some money.

She added he had been in the Army but was discharged and spent time in a military prison after a conviction for assault.

As well as footing the school’s repair bill, Watson was ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work as part of a year-long community order.

He offered to pay £10 a fortnight from his benefits to cover the compensation, clearing the debt in four years.