Grandson disowned after stealing £24k of jewellery from grandmother, court hears
A sneaky grandson stole £24,000 worth of his grandmother's jewellery while his grandfather was terminally ill, a court heard.
Fast-food worker Mark Tooth was only let into his grandparents' house in Lichfield to use the shower and while his mother's back was turned stole bespoke rings, necklaces and bracelets given by his grandfather to his wife.
At the time, Tooth's grandfather was suffering from cancer and died just four weeks later.
Stafford Crown Court heard on Friday Mr Wall was left sobbing when he found out all the specially crafted jewels he had made for his wife Mrs Jean Wall had been taken by his own grandson.
The whole family has now disowned Tooth.
Tooth, aged 21, of Keswick Grove, Sutton Coldfield, who admitted a charge of theft, was given a 12 month prison sentence suspended for two years and ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work and pay a £100 surcharge.
He was also ordered to pay Mrs Jean Wall £10,000 compensation at the rate of £200 a month. But Recorder Mr Christopher Goodchild told him: "One can't put money's worth against the sentimental value of these items."
Mr Peter McCartney, prosecuting, said the theft happened while Mrs Wall and her husband, who had just been diagnosed with terminal cancer, were on holiday and their daughter Emma Wall was housesitting on May 9.
The defendant's thumb print was found on her jewellery box, but after his arrest on May 21, he denied being the thief.
Mrs Jane Sarginson, defending, said: "His mother let him in to use the shower, it is a sneak theft, a mean, nasty theft and the value of the items was high. He realised they were valuable but nothing like their true worth."
Miss Sarginson said Tooth, who works in a McDonalds restaurant, had wanted to sort out his finances so he could continue in his employment.
