Memorials at Elland church to be replaced after theft

Dec 5 2009 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Memorials at Elland church to be replaced after theft

AN eagle-eyed scrap metal worker helped catch a thief who stole memorial plaques – and then helped the church that had been the thief’s target.

Tim Sutcliffe spotted the plaques after they had been stolen from Blackley Baptist Church in Elland.

Halifax man Andrew Kerton took them into an Mr Sutcliffe’s merchants to be cashed in.

But, foolishly, he gave his real name and address to Mr Sutcliffe who then reported him to the police.

Now Kerton, 38, of Kebroyd, Halifax, has been given a six-month community order after appearing before Calderdale Magistrates’ where he pleaded guilty to the offence.

Mr Sutcliffe, who is the yard manager at Morley Waste Traders in Ripponden, said: “He brought them in and they were folded up so the young lad who took them couldn’t see the inscription and didn’t know what they were.

“But I saw them and I thought they looked a bit odd.

“When I opened them up I realised they were plaques in memory of people, so I called the police.