A thief who stole lead from the roof of an historic Rushcliffe pub has been jailed.
Jake Sykes climbed onto the roof of the Horse & Plough, in Long Acre, Bingham, in the early hours of 13 June 2026.
After removing rolls of lead flashing, he stuffed them in a wheelie bin and fled from the scene.
Neighbourhood officers identified Sykes as the offender after viewing CCTV footage from both the pub and Rushcliffe Borough Council cameras.
Jake Sykes was captured on CCTV moments before the theft
Sykes, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to theft when he appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court.
He was jailed for eight weeks and ordered to pay £500 in compensation to the pub on 3 September.
Officers identified him as the same offender who had carried out a shop theft at Boots, in Bingham, on 12 June 2026, for which he had also received a prison sentence totalling 24 weeks on 13 July.
Sergeant David Hodson, of the Rushcliffe South neighbourhood policing team, said:
“This outcome in court is thanks to a very thorough investigation by the neighbourhood team.
“Officers have shown great determination and local knowledge in linking Sykes to a number of different offences.
“Staff at local businesses do not deserve to start their shift by discovering their place of work has been targeted overnight in this way.
“This pub is a landmark in Bingham, lying within the town’s conservation zone, and dating back to 1818.
“The damage caused to this historic building understandably caused considerable community concern in Bingham so I’m pleased Sykes has been brought to justice thanks to our determined investigation.
“The town’s CCTV coverage is extensive and this has been crucial in identifying Sykes and seeing him locked up.”
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety Cllr Rob Inglis said:
“Safer Streets funded CCTV cameras installed in Bingham and elsewhere in the borough in recent years have again proved invaluable and helped lead to this prosecution.
“The cameras are active 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are accessible through arrangements put in place by the council to support police to quickly respond to reports, aiding our partnership work.”
The Safer Streets funding enabled the installation of seven state-of-the-art CCTV cameras across key areas of Bingham in 2024, including the marketplace, main precinct, and central car park.
The Home Office funded project was coordinated by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire, in partnership with Nottinghamshire Police, Rushcliffe Borough Council and Bingham Town Council.
Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden said:
“The fact that Sykes has been brought to justice with the aid of the Safer Streets CCTV cameras is a real testament to the benefits of partnership working and investment in crime prevention.
“This should also serve as a warning to other would-be criminals, whilst also reassuring the public that local community safety partners are always working hard in the background to ensure our public spaces are safe.”
