A slightly-built teenager stole tons of lead from the roofs of buildings, including a £25,000 haul from a Medway church, a court heard.

Homeless Mark Knight received only a few pounds from a Medway metal dealer with no questions being asked, it was claimed.

The 19-year-old thief was arrested for two offences and then owned up to 28 others. But when released on bail, he committed more.

Knight was sentenced to two years youth custody after a judge said he had deliberately targeted victims.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how Knight caused a gas scare by stripping copper piping and radiators from an empty house in Frindsbury Road, Rochester, in March.

Anthony Prosser, prosecuting, said a gas engineer had been called after reports of a strong smell of gas in March. He went to the house and made it safe.

Knight then next month stripped £25,000 worth of lead from the roof of St Nicholas Church in Rochester.

A church official went on to the roof of nearby Rochester Cathedral and saw the lead was missing from over the south aisle of St Nicholas.

Police later stopped a van that had been seen in the area. The driver named Knight and said he had been asked by him to pick something up.

Knight said he took the lead to Medway Metals in Strood and was paid £90 for it.

He agreed to take officers of a tour of the area, pointing out other offences he had committed.

Mr Prosser said they included stealing lead worth about £1,500 from the cathedral, as well as from other churches and schools in the area, a veterinary surgery and St Mary’s medical centre.

Knight, of no fixed address, admitted two charges of burglary, theft and criminal damage and asked for the other offences to be considered.

Full story in the print edition of Friday's Medway Messenger