SUICIDAL Tony Devlin climbed up scaffolding on Wisbech Grammar School planning to kill himself – but changed his mind and decided to check out some lead being taken off the roof. He later told police he had only invented the story about wanting to steal l

SUICIDAL Tony Devlin climbed up scaffolding on Wisbech Grammar School planning to kill himself - but changed his mind and decided to check out some lead being taken off the roof.

He later told police he had only invented the story about wanting to steal lead, because he was embarrassed about anyone knowing he had suicidal tendencies, Fenland magistrates were told.

Last month Devlin, 25, was found guilty of attempting to steal £150 worth of lead flashing, property of Tim Kirby. This week he was sentenced to a 12-month supervision order with a drug rehabilitation requirement.

He will have to provide samples for drug testing twice a week, and his progress will be reviewed by magistrates monthly.

Prosecuting, Laura Mardell said that when contractors started replacing lead at the school this summer, old lead flashing was stacked at the top of the scaffolding, ready to be taken down.

Police spotted Devlin on the school roof on July 19. He came down and told officers he was interested in scrap metal and pointed to some metal on the ground, He said he had gone up the ladder to see if there was more at the top.

But when interviewed, Devlin, of Southwell Road, Wisbech, explained he had been depressed, and had planned to climb the scaffolding to commit suicide.

He was ordered to pay £250 costs towards his trial.