Ex-employee on trial
A former Oxford University employee has been arrested and charged after a spate of high-profile thefts at Oxford colleges over the summer. Thames Valley Police investigated twelve separate incidents during July and August in which a total of over £6,000 was taken from student rooms at a number of colleges, including Christ Church, Worcester and Queens.
Christ Church College suffered the worst burglaries, with over £3,500 worth of cash and goods stolen in less than 48 hours between the 24th and 25th of July. One conference guest is believed to have had two pearl necklaces and a pair of diamond earrings taken, valued together at £3,000, whilst another visitor staying at the college had £800 in cash stolen from their room.
A visiting Eastern European scholar staying at St Hilda’s College had a camera, bank cards and a large amount of Euros snatched from her room on the 8th August, the total value of which has been estimated at £1,000. Just over a week earlier, cash and goods worth £250 were taken from the room of a St Hilda’s conference guest. The college has now taken steps to strengthen its security measures and will be shortening the hours for which its main gate is unlocked.
At Queen’s College, a visiting choral group were targeted and had a total £360 stolen from them in early August. Further incidents were reported at Worcester, Exeter and University Colleges. The man has been formally charged with nine counts of burglary and three charges of burglary with intent. He has been remanded in custody and is awaiting trial. Further details of the case cannot be released for legal reasons.
5th Oct 2005