A 20-year-old man found on the roof of a church with a knife after a warden called police has admitted trying to steal lead.

Police were called to St John the Baptist Church, on Church Street, Coltishall after the warden heard noises coming from the roof.

Lead was found by police on the floor at the back of the church which appeared to have come from the roof.

Norwich Magistrates Court heard pieces of lead were found bent upwards on the roof where officers found Ross Martin 'laying'.

He told police he had been with other friends who had jumped from the roof but said he was 'too large to come down'.

He was arrested and when searched found to have a Stanley knife in his pocket.

Martin, of St James Close, Norwich, appeared at Norwich Magistrates Court via videolink from Aylsham Police Investigation Centre (PIC) where he admitted, criminal damage, possession of a bladed article and attempting to steal lead on Wednesday, April 26.

He also admitted being in breach of a conditional discharge imposed in 2015 for being in possession of an offensive weapon.

Anna Crayford, prosecuting, said the cost of the damage caused in the incident, which happened at about 9.30pm.

She said others were clearly involved in the incident which was a 'serious matter' which should be dealt with at the crown court.

Annette Hall, representing Martin, said her client had 'an awful lot of issues' and was a 'mess' due to the state of his mental health, most notably his anxiety and depression.

She said he had 'gone along' with a suggestion made by others because he has mental health issues.

Miss Hall said he did not take the knife with him but was handed it while in the roof by another person and put it in his pocket.

Magistrates deemed the matter too serious to be dealt with by them and indicates sentencing would be carried out at Norwich Crown Court at a date to be fixed.

Martin, who wore a dark coloured T-shirt became emotional during the hearing and asked repeatedly if he could go home and said he wanted to see his family.

He apologised for the outburst but said he was 'scared' and did not want to be here.

• A man aged in his 30s and a woman in her 20s were also arrested in connection with the incident.

They have both been released from custody with no bail conditions. However, they remain under investigation whilst the enquiry continues.