Footage on Facebook helps catch Telford thief

Aiden Adams, 24, of Jubilee Avenue, Donnington, was due to go on trial, but he changed his plea on handling stolen goods to guilty and was handed a suspended sentence at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

The court also heard the offence was committed while Adams was already serving a suspended sentence for burglary.

Prosecutor Edward Soulsby told the court that, in May last year, 870 euros and £50 in cash that was in a handbag in a black Audi car was stolen in Telford.

Adams was identified when the owners of the car posted private CCTV footage on Facebook, asking if people knew who the culprits were. Adams’ name was put forward, and further investigation found Adams had used his own name to exchange the euros at a shop in Telford.

He was arrested and gave no comment, before first saying his friend had stolen the bag.

Paul Smith, defending, said that the incident happened well over a year ago, and since then Adams has made changes to his life.

He said Adams had moved out of the area and back to Staffordshire, to get away from his associates.

Mr Smith said Adams was applying for work and had not committed any offences since the latest incident took place.

Although he said activating the suspended sentence for the burglary was warranted, Mr Smith urged the judge to suspended the sentence and allow Adams to complete rehabilitation.

Recorder Stephen Thomas said he had to decide whether it was in the public interest to suspend the sentence. He said: “It seems to me that suspended sentences are to ensure further offending doesn’t take place, and therefore I impose a suspended sentence.”

Adams was given a four-month jail term, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.