Telford hanging baskets thief is jailed - watch the CCTV
A thief who was caught on CCTV stealing "worthless" hanging baskets from the front of a Telford house has been jailed.
David Jinks, aged 30, of Burford, Brookside, in Telford, pleaded guilty to stealing the hanging baskets after stealing them from a house in Knightsbridge Crescent, Stirchley.
Watch the CCTV footage:
He also stole beef burgers and pleaded guilty to the attempted burglary of a shed at Kebab King in Madeley on August 3.
As well as this, Jinks had been found in breach of a suspended sentence and was jailed for a total of 12 weeks at Telford Magistrates Court.
It comes after David Bellamy, 48, posted CCTV footage on Facebook of the bizarre hanging basket theft last week, which has since been viewed almost a million times.
The CCTV shows Jinks, sporting a grey tracksuit, approach the property and unhook two baskets at either side of the door.
He makes a run for it down the drive carrying them as his trousers appear to start falling down his legs.
Quality manager Mr Bellamy said: “It’s a really strange thing to have happen to you, I can’t get my head around it.
“Of all the things you could take, why on earth would you steal hanging baskets?
“It makes no sense whatsoever to me, but perhaps this is the sort of thing these people get a kick from. I wasn’t at home when it happened, but some neighbours saw it. They posted a note through my letter box, which I got when I arrived back home.”
Mr Bellamy reported the theft to West Mercia Police and an officer investigated the theft on August 29 at around 2pm.
The video has been a talking point on social media with the video and pictures being shared more than 15,000 times, with hundreds of comments.
Mr Bellamy added: “I instantly went to check the security camera, and that was when I saw the footage. I couldn’t believe it at all.
“Those baskets weren’t expensive, they’re effectively worthless as they don’t have any sentimental value to me, so it’s not the greatest loss.
“But it’s a matter of principle, you can’t just come and steal someone else’s property.
“I released the video because I wanted to raise awareness for people to be vigilant, to prevent the same thing from happening to them.
“I certainly didn’t expect it to be viewed as many times as it has, but it is great that the word is getting out there now.”
