By Couple horrified after man appears in headmaster’s bedroom
A headmaster and his wife were shocked to find a man in their bedroom, following him breaking into St James’ School in Grimsby.
On September 8, 2020, at 9.45 pm, Michael Clayton, 42, broke into the private school on Bargate. After finding the bedroom, he stood in the doorway and was seen by the headmaster’s wife.
Michael Clayton, of Eleanor Street, Grimsby, pleaded guilty to burglary and possession of drugs at Grimsby Crown Court.
Prosecuting, Matthew Burton said when she confronted him and told him he appeared to be under the influence and that he was “not supposed to be there”. Police attended shortly after being called by the headmaster’s wife.
Clayton was found to be in possession of amphetamines and claimed that someone had told him to go to the school. Mitigating, Dale Brook read out a letter from the chaplain of the Salvation Army in Grimsby – where the defendant has been living – which claimed he has made “significant improvements”.
The court heard that he now receives mental health support and regularly helps out in a charity shop. Judge John Thackray QC told Clayton:
“Some people never recover from being burgled. It must have been a terrible fright for her.”
Clayton was handed an 18-month suspended sentence for two years and ordered to carry out 30 days of rehabilitation.
Judge Thackray concluded: “Make the best of the opportunity you have been given and take all the help that is available.”
