A PENSIONER has been reunited with more than 100 pocket watches that were stolen from his Banbury home.
The 115-piece collection was stolen from horologist Henry Peverill, 72, back in March 2014, but thanks to a UV postcode mark on one watch, police have finally been able to return them to their rightful owner.
The collection turned up four days after the burglary, when the antiques were seized by Coventry Police at a pawnbrokers.
A 29-year-old man from Coventry had tried to sell the stash at Cash Converters, which raised suspicions with staff, who then notified police.
Scott Sheldon from the Tile Hill area pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods at Coventry Magistrates’ Court and was handed a 16-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months.
Officers spotted a faint UV marked postcode written on the back of one watch that they were able to connect the collection with Mr Peverill.
PC James Rees said: “It is always incredibly satisfying to return stolen items to where they belong.
He and Mr Peverill are pictured above with Detective Constable Stephen Perry.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here