Berry-picking rambler cautioned for theft

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A rambler who picked bunches of berries on a country walk was hunted down by police - and cautioned for theft.

Ian Blayney and his wife Bette spotted the rowan berries growing wild and collected a bag-full to turn into jam.

But he was also spotted by a security worker at a nearby building, who noted down Ian's car registration plate and called the police.

Detectives spent three months tracking Ian down - and then interrogated him during a formal interview at a police station.

Stunned Ian, 67, said: "The police who interviewed me were trying to be serious but I think it was as difficult for them as it was for me.

"I did consider arguing that the bushes were wild, which would mean I would be within my rights to pick the berries, but I didn't want to waste anymore police time.

"The caution means I can't be naughty for a year. "Next time I go blackberry picking in the forest I will have to back my face and wear a balaclava or I could get an ASBO."

The ordeal began when Ian and Bette, of Aylburton Common near Lydney, Glos., enjoyed a canalside walk near Macclesfield, Cheshire, in August.

They spotted the bush across a field so Ian hopped over a fence and collected several bunches.

But a security guard at a nearby business premises - where Ian had parked his Ford Mondeo - spotted him and noted down his registration plate from the CCTV footage.

The video was handed to Cheshire Constabulary, who later handed the investigation to their colleagues in Gloucestershire.

Ian and Bette thought nothing more of it until officers from Gloucestershire police called at their home three months later.

"When you think of all the hours of police time it took the police to track me down, it's unbelievable," said Ian.

"You'd think the police up there would have had better things to do than find a pensioner accused of picking some berries. I'd like to know how much it cost." After being interviewed at his local police station Ian was issued with a formal caution for theft.

He is now scared of handing out the home-made jam to relatives just in case they are also charged with handling stolen goods.

His wife Bette, a mother-of-three, added: "In one way it's quite funny, but I think people are also angry they took this complaint so seriously and wasted all this time and money.

"Instead of catching real criminals they got my husband to plead guilty to theft so they could tick off a box which says they have done their job and solved another crime."

A spokesman for Gloucestershire police said: "We can confirm a 67-year-old man from Lydney was cautioned under the Theft Act on November 13.

"We were acting as agents for Cheshire Constabulary in this matter and our only involvement was bringing about its disposal at their request.

"When a crime has been committed we are duty bound to take action, however trivial the matter may appear.

"It is worth bearing in mind that events that may seem insignificant can have a very significant impact on the injured parties involved and that they may have more to them than it appears at first."

 

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