Stolen historic golf trophies found ditched in River Wear in Sunderland by family out for a walk
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Twelve trophies and a commemorative plate were found in the water near the fire-hit Golden Lion pub in South Hylton at the weekend.
Detectives have now confirmed the sporting trophies were among items stolen during a burglary at Chester-le-Street Golf Club at around 8.30pm on Sunday, April 5, including The Hermitage Cup, which dates back to 1912.
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Hide AdAlthough most of the missing items taken during the burglary remain outstanding, golf club officials are said to be “ecstatic” that some have now been recovered.
Intruders forced entry to the clubhouse and took around 40 pieces of silverware from the trophy cabinet before leaving the area in a vehicle.
On Sunday, April 26 a family were walking along the riverbanks near the pub, which was damaged in a suspected arson attack last July, when something caught their eye.
Detective Constable Chris Bentham, of Durham Constabulary, said: “A lady got in touch with us to say she had been out walking with her partner and son when they noticed something glinting in the deep mud near the riverbank.
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Hide Ad“They went home to retrieve some wellies and waded out into the river where they have recovered the trophies, then took them home to clean them up.
“The trophies have suffered some damage but they are intact and are clearly identifiable.
“The family have done extremely well to recover them and the club are ecstatic because the trophies have a real sentimental value”.
Police have issued a fresh appeal for information about the burglary, at the club in Lumley House Park near Lumley Castle and just a short distance from the River Wear, to get in touch.
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Hide AdDet Con Benth added: “We’d like to hear from anyone with any information about the burglary or has been offered trophies for sale.
“We would particularly like to hear from anyone with information on where these trophies have been since the burglary and how they ended up in the river.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Det Con Bentham on 101 quoting incident number 440 of April 5.