TWO BROTHERS were caught red-handed stripping roof tiles from a listed property, a court was told yesterday.

Oct 31 2008 The Journal

Jason and Paul Clark were arrested after they were spotted on the roof of Dam Dykes Farm on the outskirts of Cramlington, Northumberland in May.

Close to the pair were piles of tiles stacked up ready to be taken away while others had already been placed in a mini-bus parked nearby, Newcastle Crown Court was told. The building was in a “dilapidated” state having lain empty since the previous February when the occupants moved out, the court was told.

Prosecutor Debbie Breen said the Grade II listed property – part of a complex of buildings valued at around £600,000 – had been the target of thieves since it had become vacant with items taken and damage being caused.

“Police officers found these two defendants on the roof of the two-storey building,” Ms Breen said. “A number of tiles were missing from the roof.

“Officers saw stacks of tiles ready to be removed. There was a mini-bus parked nearby which Jason Clark had driven there. There were a few tiles inside the bus.”

The two brothers were yesterday made the subject of a 12-month community order after admitting the theft of tiles value at £3,000. Jason Clark, 29, a self-employed ice-cream salesman, of Belloc Avenue, South Shields, was also ordered to carry out 80 hours unpaid work while Paul Clark, 34, of Boldon Lane, South Shields, was made the subject of a three-month curfew.

Neither have previous convictions for theft.

Kevin Smallcombe, defending, said there had been other people involved in stealing from the site. “It was a free-for-all since the last occupants vacated the property,” he said.