Drugs and stolen jewellery found on known criminal in Louth

WHEN police officers stopped and searched a known criminal in the street they found heroin as well as jewellery items which had been stolen in a major house burglary a week before.

Peter Philip Minkley, 26, of St Michael's Road, Louth, admitted possessing three wraps of heroin and dishonestly receiving medals, jewellery and a Samsonite bag, knowing or believing them to be stolen, when he appeared for sentence before magistrates at Skegness.

Prosecuting, John Mitchell said a burglary occurred between May 2 and 4 at Cinder Lane, Louth while the occupants were away on holiday, and thousands of pounds worth of jewellery, watches and medals had been stolen.

On May 10, police saw Minkley in the street in Louth and stopped and searched him.

NEED A NEW BOILER OR NEW LUXURY BATHROOM ??? THEN READ OUR...

P&P Plumbing & Heating services

View details

Print voucher

IF YOUR LOOKING TO REPLACE YOUR BOILER OR BATHROOM, THEN CALL P & P PLUMBING. WE OFFER, A, FULL DESIGN, SUPPLY & INSTALLATION SERVICE. SO TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO READ OUR REVIEWS, & THEN GIVE US A CALL.

Terms: TS & CS APPLY

Contact: 01472 803004

Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013

They found three individual wraps of heroin, as well as jewellery and antique trinkets on him.

When they subsequently searched his home – just 500 metres from the burgled house – they found a Samsonite holdall containing a display case of expensive watches, snuff boxes, amber jewellery and two family war medals, all of which had been stolen in the burglary.

He told police he had been given the property by another man he refused to name.

In mitigation, Gordon Holt said Minkley had a heroin habit which was tailing off and that, prior to this, had not been convicted since April 2010.

He said there was no evidence he was involved in the planning or execution of the burglary.

He said a man Minkley knew gave him money to look after the items and he locked them in the shed as he didn't want his partner to know about it.

In a separate incident on Roman Bank in Skegness, Minkley admitted possessing Class C drugs and driving without insurance on March 5.

The magistrates told Minkley they were serious offences, particularly handling stolen property, which was valuable and sentimentally important.

They told him he would receive a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years and must attend a drug rehabilitation course for six months.

He must also carry out 140 hours of unpaid work for the community and 12 months supervision.

He was also ordered to pay £85 court costs.