THE offer of earning £60 from a quick driving job has cost a teenager more than £4,000 after he became involved in a scheme to steal lead from the roof of a house in Hitlon. William Hambly, 18, was offered the cash to act as a driver for two men he did n

THE offer of earning £60 from a quick driving job has cost a teenager more than £4,000 after he became involved in a scheme to steal lead from the roof of a house in Hitlon.

William Hambly, 18, was offered the cash to act as a driver for two men he did not know, his solicitor told magistrates at Huntingdon last Thursday (August 7).

However, the court ordered Hambly to pay £4,230 in compensation, the full value of the lead stolen from the Hilton property - plus the cost of erecting scaffolding to refit it.

Hambly, of Green Street, Cambridge, had earlier pleaded guilty to theft and possession of a small quantity of cannabis.

Prosecutor Andrew Williams told the court how Hambly's car had been found in the grounds of Punch's Grove, in Hilton, at about 10.30pm on April 15.

Hambly and the two men had fled from the scene, leaving the car behind.

Mr Williams said: "A dog walker spotted a suspicious vehicle in the grounds of the property and the police were informed.

"The vehicle was empty but had the defendant's wallet and mobile phone inside - along with a quantity of drugs - and was traced to the defendant.

"In interview the defendant made full admissions as to his part in the incident. He said two people had asked him to drive to the location and offered him £60, plus petrol.

"He said he did not know what they were going to do until he saw the lead."

The prosecutor added Hambly admitted to being a casual cannabis user, explaining the presence of the drug.

Representing Hambly, solicitor Michele Cheatle said: "He was one of three people at the scene but he does accept he was involved with the driving.

"He lives with his parents and has recently completed a National Diploma in Sports Studies and is seeking employment in that field."

Magistrates ordered Hambly to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and to pay £1,880 in compensation for the stolen lead, plus £2,350 to pay for scaffolding to install it.

For the cannabis possession he was ordered to pay a fine of £50, a £15 victim surcharge and £60 costs.