A BURGLAR who stole lead from a primary school was later found to be keeping a shotgun underneath his bed.
Alex Williams, 20, broke into St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, in Lambeth, at around 3am on June 3.
Officers responding to reports of a break-in noticed lead on the pavement next to the school and noise coming from an adjoining garden.
Williams, of London Road, Thornton Heath, and another man, Nickanar Witter, 19, ran away but were caught after a pursuit involving officers on the ground, a police helicopter and a dog unit.
More lead was found in the garden of a nearby house and both men were arrested on suspicion of theft.
When police searched Williams' home they found a shotgun hidden in a tent bag underneath his bed.
He was subsequently charged with theft and possession of a firearm, Witter with theft.
Williams pleaded guilty to both offences and was sentenced to 22 months in a young offender institution at Croydon Crown Court on October 6.
Witter, of College Green, Upper Norwood, pleaded guilty to theft and was sentenced to six months, suspended for two years. He is required to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.
