A CONVICTED shoplifter who tried to steal lead from the roof of the Health Hydro swimming baths has walked free from Swindon Magistrates’ Court.

Vincent Selby, 42, of Faringdon Road, went to the building in Milton Road in the early hours of the morning to try and steal the flashing. He was later linked to the crime through blood left at the scene.

He had denied the offence but was convicted at trial and yesterday he was given a 12-month community order, with a supervision requirement, and also told to pay £100 towards costs.

It comes after the Swindon Advertiser reported last week that Wiltshire Police are clamping down on a sharp rise in metal thefts across the county.

Kate Blackmore, prosecuting, said Swindon Council’s contractor, Swindon Commercial Services, received an alert about the Health Hydro at 2am on April 18.

Police found a lump of lead flashing had been removed from the roof which had blood on it.

The blood was tested and found to be that of Selby.

Ms Blackmore told the magistrates he was originally charged with burglary, but this was amended to attempted theft .

Leanne Evans, defending said he was remanded in custody on May 27 for this offence and others and had spent 39 days in jail, but 21 days of that had already been used as punishment for an offence of shoplifting and another of breaching a suspended sentence.

In passing sentence, Simon Wolfensohn, the chairman of the bench, said: “We have taken account of the fact you have spent a considerable period on remand and we feel this is the most appropriate disposal for this offence, which is quite a serious offence.”