A MAN caused thousands of pounds worth of damage when he stripped lead from the roof of an accountancy firm.

Ian Riley was high on crack cocaine when he targeted Dewsbury-based company Walter Dawson Accountants on February 29.

He was caught red-handed stashing the scrap metal in a wheeled bin by a council worker.

His actions caused “substantial damage” to the building, Kirklees magistrates were told.

Riley’s court appearance came days after Robert Law was jailed for two years after stealing cable from Golcar Viaduct.

The theft meant that trains using the line between Manchester and Huddersfield were disrupted for seven days.

Riley, of Croft Street in Dewsbury, admitted stealing the lead – worth an estimated £6,000 – when he appeared before magistrates yesterday.

Alex Bosman, prosecuting, said that Riley was seen by the premises on Wellington Road East just before 6am.

The building was surrounded by scaffolding because of ongoing work.

A council refuse collector saw the 39-year-old and another man pulling and pushing a large commercial wheeled bin.

Mr Bosman said: “It looked very heavy and he challenged them about it.

“They said they lived in the flats opposite and that the bin was from the flats.

“The refuse collector was suspicious and called police.

“One of his colleagues looked in the bin and saw that it was full of scrap metal.

“There were also several piles of lead at the side of the road.”

Magistrates were told that a senior accountancy clerk for the firm described the damage caused to the building.

Mr Bosman said: “He said there was substantial damage caused to the building. There was a pool of water on the floor of the top offices as a consequence of the items being taken from the roof.

“A few ceiling tiles had been removed due to the lead flashing being taken and daylight could be seen.”

Magistrates heard that he had been out of trouble for the last four years.

Robert Dawson, defending, said that Riley had addicted to heroin in the past.

He added that the ending of his offending coincided with the problem being resolved.

However his past drugs use left him with serious mental health problems to the point that he hears voices in his head.

Magistrates adjourned Riley’s case for a full presentence report until May 17.

His bail condition is that he complies with the Drug Intervention Programme team.