Private Investigations Help Track Down Cemetery Thief
A private investigator"s detective work has helped catch a thief who stole a woman"s handbag.
Hayley Evans was grieving for her dead 10-day-old baby at Caverswall Cemetery on Mother"s Day earlier this year, when her car was targeted by a thief and his accomplice.
Two handbags containing cash cards and a camera containing photos of Ms Evans" son, Riley who died in December were stolen.
After reading about the crime in The Sentinel, private detective, Geoff Harrison got in touch to offer his services for free in an attempt to catch the thief and return the precious photos.
After carrying out private investigations Mr Harrison was able to track down two people who were standing at a nearby grave at the time Ms Evans was in the cemetery.
The grave in question had the surname "Booth" and there were also flowers left with a card that was signed "John" and that had a message that said this individual was actually in jail.
Using his private investigator"s skills, Mr Harrison was then able to search the archives of The Sentinel for a John Booth who had been sent to prison.
John Booth was finally tracked down and later sentenced to 10 months in prison, while his accomplice, Maria Lovatt was also charged with using Ms Evans" stolen bank cards.
Ms Evans was absolutely delighted to be reunited with the precious photos of her son, although the camera was never recovered.
She said: "I was just beginning to build myself back up and then something like this happens. I am relieved it"s all over and Geoff Harrison has been absolutely fantastic.
"He tracked down John Booth and when someone offers to do that for free- it restores your faith in humanity."