Sunderland man due in court after golf score card proves clue find owner of suspected stolen clubs

A score card from a game of golf led police to the rightful owner of a bag of clubs after three men were found with the bag on a city street.
By Fiona Thompson
Published 29th Oct 2020, 13:12 BST
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A 40-year-old Sunderland man is today, Thursday, October 29, due to appear before magistrates to face a charge of handling stolen property following a break-in to a car in Newcastle yesterday.

Northumbria Police arrested three suspected thieves as part of inquiries after a call from a resident who had seen them with the bag in a back alley close to Manors.

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Northumbria Police officers used a score card as a clue to help them track down the rightful owners of a set of gold clubs following a car break-in.Northumbria Police officers used a score card as a clue to help them track down the rightful owners of a set of gold clubs following a car break-in.
Northumbria Police officers used a score card as a clue to help them track down the rightful owners of a set of gold clubs following a car break-in.
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When they looked through the pockets of the bag officers found a score card inside it and used the name to start inquiries as the officers worked to prove the bag did not belong to their suspects, with the bag not reported stolen at that stage.

They were able to track down the owner’s parents, who were on holiday abroad, before returning the bag to the golfer, who told police the clubs had been stolen from his car earlier that day.

Neighbourhood Inspector Karen Madge, who oversees policing in Newcastle city centre, has today praised the dogged detective work.

“Without a victim it is very hard for us to prove that goods seized from a suspected thief have been stolen,” said Inspector Madge.

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“It was really impressive work by the response officers on duty yesterday who tracked down the rightful owner while the suspects were still in custody.

“That work has ultimately resulted in charges being brought against one of those arrested which is a fantastic result.

“I also want to thank the eagle-eyed member of the public who spotted these men with the bag and knew something wasn’t quite right.

“His call enabled us to quickly respond to the incident, secure the bag and place these suspects under arrest.”

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Two men, aged 31 and 30, were both released with no further action but the latter was handed a cannabis warning after being found with a small amount of the drug.

The 40-year-old Sunderland man charged with handling stolen property and is due to appear before North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court today.

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