An 'honest thief' who stole lead from the roof of House of Reeves, told a jury he wasn't responsible for a burglary at the same time.

Ben Strentz was arrested after a four hour stand-off with police on the roof of the iconic furniture store on February 21.

The 23-year-old, of no fixed address, admits the theft of lead and possessing a knife, but yesterday denied stealing a gold clock from the company's boardroom and a silver handled letter opener belonging to owner Maurice Reeves.

Standing trial at Croydon Crown Court, the dad-of-one took the unusual step of requesting jurors be made aware of his previous convictions, which include robbery, public disorder, possession of a bladed article, theft and shoplifting.

Mr Strentz, who is defending himself, told the court his criminal record was evidence he always pleaded guilty to the crimes he committed, and he had pleaded not guilty to burgling the Reeves Corner shop because he had not done it.

Addressing jurors, he said: "I can't justify why I did the crimes, but I felt I was pushed into a corner I couldn't get out of.

"I have been punished before because I have held my hands up high and said I was guilty. In 2002 I pleaded not guilty to robbery, but was found guilty. I didn't do it and it upset my mind.

"I am here on three charges, I'm pleading guilty to theft of lead and the bladed article because I know I am guilty of them two, but the burglary charge was a shock to me."

Dressed in jeans and a brown t-shirt, Mr Strentz admitted he had gone out with the sole purpose of stealing lead to make money, which he would use to buy a train ticket to visit his one-year-old daughter in Grimsby.

He said: "I did go out that night to do criminal activity I am not proud of, I was stealing to make money. My main priority that night was to buy a train ticket the following day to go and see my daughter.

"I have served six months of prison for that and now they are trying to convict me of a burglary I didn't commit.

"I'm not going to try and give a defence, I am just going to tell you straight I did not do that burglary."

The case continues.