LEAD THIEF BREAKS HIS BACK FALLING FROM SALVATION ARMY HALL

A thief plunged 40 feet from a church roof while stealing lead and broke his back.

Adam Harrison, 25, was stealing from the Salvation Army Church and Community Hall on Roe Street, Macclesfield.

But as he attempted to climb down a drainpipe, it snapped and he fell from the roof.

Harrison had already been spotted on the roof at about 1.30am on July 25 by an off-duty security guard who called police, prosecutor Debbie Byrne told Macclesfield magistrates.

The guard then heard a loud crash and saw Harrison running away from the scene, despite his injuries.

Police found him found hiding under a van on a nearby car park, covered in dirt and debris.

A large quantity of lead was found at the side of the church and the roof was badly damaged.

Ms Byrne said: “He saw the opportunity and he took it.”

Harrison told police: “I