Teenager hid stolen gems in bedroom

A TEENAGE baker was caught with a stash of stolen gems after they were snatched during a house party.

Jason Biggins (19), of Vulcan Street, Oldham, was found with eight pieces of jewellery worth £500 belonging to the party host’s mother.

He claimed another man had stolen them during the party last August at Prince George Street in Oldham.

Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester was told the party was thrown by James Shaw while his mother, Karen, was away.

But it got out of hand and police were called twice by Shaw to make people leave the house.

Peter Edmondson, prosecuting, said that at the end of the night Shaw left the house, leaving the back door unlocked, and when he returned the next day there was a pile of clothing on the floor and an empty jewellery box.

Mrs Shaw had around £5,000 to £6,000 worth of jewellery stolen, including priceless family items.

Police searched Biggins’s house in a separate investigation the next day and found eight piece of jewellery belonging to Mrs Shaw in his bedroom.

Mr Edmondson added: “Mr Biggins was interviewed and he said that another man had taken the jewellery and he had retrieved it, intending to contact the complainant.”

“He said that he had hidden the jewellery in his bedroom as his sister was a ‘little thief’.

“The complainant says that the items had great sentimental value.

“Her mother’s engagement rings cost £500. There was also her own engagement ring that cost £750. The jewellery discovered by the police was value at £500. She feels that her house is not her home since she has been burgled.”

Biggins pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods. He was ordered to undertake 200 hours’ unpaid work and was given a six-month supervision order.

In mitigation, Thomas Gilbart said: “The defendant has been in work since he left school and his most current work, as a baker, has ended.”

“He seeks employment at the Jobcentre each week and looks for jobs on their website. He lives with his mother and has a settled home life.”

Judge Andrew Lowcock said: “Police searched your house and found the jewellery. It is not suggested that you stole it, but that could have been the case. The sentimental value of the jewellery far outweighed its actual worth.”