Dad and son thieves caught by spy camera

t.cork@bepp.co.uk

A secret police investigation to catch a gang of beauty spot thieves plaguing the West has led to a father and son criminal team sentenced to community punishment orders.

Police installed a hidden camera at one of the West’s best known beauty spots, Alfred’s Tower on the Stourhead estate, after a wave of thefts from cars parked there, and at other spots around Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire.

The surveillance camera caught two men red-handed, and now they have pleaded guilty to theft.

Gary John Wells, a 29-year-old from Totton, Southampton, and his father Wilfred Wells, 56, from Eyres Way in Salisbury, were given 12-month community orders of 60 hours unpaid labour.

Gary Wells was ordered to pay costs of £85, while Wilfred had to pay £25 in costs.

Salisbury magistrates heard that almost as soon as the camera was installed, it caught the two taking two handbags from a car parked at Alfred’s Tower in early May this year.

Footage from the camera showed the two men in the area, and Gary Wells walking towards the car and returning with a handbag.

“I hope the prosecution of these two men sends a clear message that thieves have nowhere to hide in Wiltshire and we will take all the actions we can to prosecute offenders,” said DC Simon Childe from Wiltshire police.

“The impact of theft should not be underestimated – not only is there the monetary loss and the inconvenience of arranging replacement items, but the loss of personal belongings with sentimental value can be deeply distressing.”

Stourhead’s general manager, Mike MacCormack, welcomed the prosecution.

“We want our visitors and neighbours who use our car parks around the Stourhead estate to feel safe when they are out for a walk,” he said.

“They come here to relax, for refreshment and to enjoy the countryside, and we don’t want them to be victims of such thefts.

“We are very concerned for them and the level of car theft made us angry and upset on their behalf.

“Thanks to the commitment and ingenuity of Wiltshire police we have seen these men convicted and made our visitors a little safer.

“We will continue to work with the police to prevent crime.”