Nineteen-year-old bailed over alleged theft of two guitars from Elizabeth Vale church

A teenager accused of stealing two guitars from a church has been bailed with some stern words from a magistrate after it was revealed he was already out on bail.

Shane Anthony Gray allegedly broke into a northern suburbs church in an attempt to steal two guitars. Picture: Lucy Hinton/Nine NEws.

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A 19-year-old who was charged with allegedly stealing two guitars from a northern Adelaide church was out on bail for another offence just four days previous.

Shane Anthony Gray appeared before the Elizabeth Magistrates Court via video link charged with one count of serious criminal trespass and one count of theft. Initially, Gray was also charged with sacrilege - an offence automatically triggered by any alleged criminal incident occuring inside a church or holy ground.

Police alleged they found Shane Gray carrying the guitars at a research near the Adelaide Chin Christian Church.

Police were called to a Shillabeer Rd at Elizabeth Vale around 1am this morning following reports of a man seen leaping over a fence of the Adelaide Chin Christian Church.

The court heard the teen was spotted inside the church grounds with a garbage bag.

Patrols arrived at the scene and allegedly found property from the church lying on the ground.

They searched the area and found Gray at a nearby reserve allegedly carrying two guitars that belonged to the nearby church.

Gray’s legal representative, Elliot King, said his client suffered from ADHD, often “struggles with his attention and his behaviour” and had “concentration issues”.

He said his client was drawn to the property after seeing a broken window.

“I have no instructions for the motivations behind (the alleged crime),” Mr King said.

“(He is) illiterate which would make him vulnerable in a custodial setting.

“He’s a suitable candidate for a suspended sentence.”

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However, the court heard Gray was out on bail for a previous, undisclosed matter in Port Pirie several days before.

Magistrate Gary Gumpl warned Gray not to offend again.

“If you are caught next time, you might have difficulty getting bail,” Mr Gumpl said.

Gray was bailed and will appear before the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on September 18.