Jail threat to ‘heartless’ thieves as memorials are sold for scrap

The actions of such people cause massive distress to those affected by their criminal activities, Recorder Richard Woolfall said yesterday when he sentenced a 26-year-old man for handling memorial plaques stolen from a garden of rest in Mirfield, Dewsbury.

Nathan Hallsworth was arrested after he took 11kg (about 24lb) of brass and gilded metal to Eric France and Son’s scrap metal firm in Ossett, near Wakefield, on September 23, last year.

His details were taken and he was paid £30.20 but after the items were weighed in the firm realised they were memorial plaques and they contacted the police.

The thieves had removed the inscriptions from many of the plaques and bent them out of shape but Leeds Crown Court heard they were discovered to be among 169 which had been stolen from the garden at St Mary’s Church in Mirfield.

Hallsworth wrote in a letter to the court that he had been duped to take the items in for scrap and had not known himself what they were.

After hearing evidence from John Crookes who worked at the scrapyard that it was only when they examined the items closely they realised what they were, Recorder Woolfall told Hallsworth whatever his suspicions he would sentence him on the basis he had not known the source.

“I’m satisfied your letter does demonstrate true remorse and that once you realised what these items were you too were horrified as to their nature and how somebody could stoop so low as to steal them.”

But he said there had to be jail sentence since Hallsworth had an “utterly appalling record” and had handled the stolen items which were of great sentimental value with their loss causing great distress.

He said the Vicar of St Mary’s, the Rev Hugh Baker, had described the impact he had seen on the families and friends affected, ranging from tears to bewilderment and anger.

One described how they felt as though they had been punched in the stomach and another was physically sick.

Hallsworth, 26 of Heathcliffe Close, Birstall, Batley, was committed to the court for sentence by magistrates after admitting handling and was jailed for six months.

He agreed to forfeit £320 found on him on his arrest to go in compensation.

A teenager who admitted the same charge at youth court along with a burglary and a drugs offence was locked up for 18 months.

Jeremy Hill-Baker, for Halls-worth, said his client was appalled when he realised the truth and was remorseful about his actions.

The plaques which cost around £140 are bought by families to commemorate their deceased relatives who have been cremated and their ashes scattered in the garden of remembrance at St Mary’s.

Mr Baker said the plaques were too damaged to be used when they were recovered.

As a result, the church had since set up a fund to try and help replace the plaques and the local community had rallied round to support the effort.

“Some people have already done so themselves, but it has caused a lot of distress. In terms of the metal they have very little value but in terms of what they represent they are extremely valuable.”

Jonathan France said after the arrests resulted from their contacting the police: “Ours is not an industry which often gets good press but we are open and honest and happy to help the police.”

“If everybody in the industry took a collective responsibility it could go towards stopping metal thefts, but unfortunately not everyone is as scrupulous as we are.”

After publicity about the loss local councillor Martyn Bolt wrote to all scrap merchants in the Kirklees area urging them to sign up to a voluntary code of conduct and agree not to pay cash for scrap, saying if payment was only made by cheque or account transfer it would deter criminals.