​THE owner of Derby’s Hippodrome theatre has pleaded guilty to demolishing part of its roof during work on the Grade II-listed building two years ago.

The admission was made at Derby Crown Court today as Derby City Council accused London developer Christopher Anthony of carrying out unauthorised work to the building in Green Lane which led to the collapse of its flat roof.

But the prosecution on the council’s behalf said it accepted that Mr Anthony had not deliberately set out to damage the building and that it was rather a “botched job”.

Judge David Pugsley said had it been alleged and proven that Mr Anthony had deliberately caused damage for financial gain, then he would have not hesitated in imposing a prison sentence.

Instead, the court is exploring other punishments, including a fine.

The charges against Mr Anthony’s co-accused, his contractor Wayne Watson, were dismissed.

Once Mr Anthony changed his plea to guilty at today’s hearing, the city council’s legal team said it offered no evidence against Mr Watson.

See tomorrow’s Derby Telegraph for full details.