Facebook appeal finds Gornal musician's stolen guitar

Gavin Priest's prize instrument was stolen from his van outside his father's home in Sedgley.

Mr Priest had played with the £2,500 guitar in Yorkshire the night before - but feared the worst after his van was broken into.

However he was reunited with his instrument after his Facebook appeal was shared thousands of times.

A kind-hearted member-of-the-public, Carl Fellows, spotted it lying against a lamppost just three streets from his father's house and got in touch.

Gavin, aged 48 from Lower Gornal, said: "This just shows the power of Facebook.

"I was devastated when I found out they had broken into my van and took my guitar. I had only bought it a day earlier after travelling up to Yorkshire.

"But my post was shared thousands of times, people and music shops around the country were sharing my post, and I think the culprits realised it was too hot to handle and they just left it for me.

"I don't bear a grudge against them really because they left unharmed and still in its case."

The guitar is a vintage customised 1980 model with a cream paint-job to resemble the one used by Steve Jones in The Sex Pistols.

Gavin plays in a tribute Sex Pistols band and is a massive fan of the band.

Carl found the instrument in the Brownhall's estate after Gavin had visited his father for a cup-of-tea.

Gavin believes the thieves struck when he was taking his father's dog for a walk.

As a reward he gave Carl £200 and has offered to teach the Good Samaritan's children how to play guitar as an extra thank you.

Gavin said: "I'd like to say a massive thank you to Carl for re-uniting me with my guitar, I'm ecstatic.

"I'd also like to thank everyone who shared my Facebook post. I won't let it out of my sight again."

Gavin is a member of indie band The Proctors and a DJ at Wolverhampton's Blast Off and Dog & Doublet.