Ipswich: Community order for thief caught red-handed by headteacher
A MAN who burgled a town primary school only to be stopped in his tracks by a headteacher has been handed a community order.
Lee Evans, of Tydeman Close, Ipswich, appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court having been charged with two counts of burglary following incidents at St Helen’s Primary School and Springfield Junior School.
The father-of-four was handed a 12-month community order and must complete 60 hours unpaid work and pay �100 compensation to Springfield school.
Magistrates heard that Evans – who pleaded guilty to both charges – had broken into St Helen’s Primary School on November 29, 2011.
While on school grounds he attempted to leave with a laptop, only to be stopped by the school’s acting headteacher at the time, Martin Jarvis.
Prosecuting Wayne Ablett said: “He was seen leaving the school by headteacher Mr Jarvis and he left the laptop.
“He was asked to return to the school and he refused. He made full admission in interviews with police.”
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Evans struck again on January 26 at Springfield Junior School where he was seen tampering with a window. With staff still inside the school, Evans left the scene only to return and gain access through a window. He made an untidy search and then fled.
Ian Duckworth, defending, said his client had injured his arm in the November burglary, leaving him out of work.
“He made full and frank admissions, he was challenged by the headteacher and it (the laptop) was handed back,” he added.
