Hunt for ‘dirty rat’ who stole war hero medals

REWARD: Businessman offers £5,000 for arrest of thief who ransacked his home

A businessman is offering £5,000 for the arrest of the “dirty rat” who ransacked his home and made off with his grandfather’s war medals.

Gavin Maclean returned home from celebrating his wedding anniversary to find his Perth property “turned upside down”.

Thieves, who smashed through a bedroom window, rummaged through cupboards and drawers in their hunt for jewellery and electronic goods.

Framed Second World War medals were among the items stolen as well as Mr Maclean’s daughter’s DS games console.

The 33-year-old took to social media in an attempt to weed out the thief, claiming: “100 years of family history stolen by a dirty rat in five minutes.”

Police are hunting a “dirty rat” thief who ransacked a Perth family’s home and made off with a priceless collection of war medals.

Businessman Gavin Maclean is offering a £5,000 reward for information which could lead to the crook’s capture.

The 33-year-old took to social media in an attempt to weed out the thief, claiming: “100 years of family history stolen by a dirty rat in five minutes.”

Mr Maclean, who is managing director of Macleod Glaziers, was out celebrating his wedding anniversary with wife Nicole when raiders struck.

“We came back first thing in the morning to find the house turned upside down,” he said.

“They smashed their way in through our bedroom window. It would have made a lot of noise, so hopefully someone heard something at the time.

“It looks like they spent a lot of time inside. This wasn’t a quick in and out job, they were obviously taking their time and looking through everything we had.

“The whole house was turned over, but the bedroom where the jewellery and medals were was left in the worst state.”

An image posted by Mr Maclean on Twitter – and shared nearly 2,300 times – shows drawers pulled out and contents strewn across the bedroom floor.

“The medals belonged to my grandfather and were in a frame,” he said.

“They had been in the family for a long time and really meant a lot to us.

“But a lot of other things were taken, including my daughter’s DS console.”

Mr Maclean went on: “We’re hoping someone nearby may have heard glass smashing and looked outside and seen something.

“I put out an appeal on Twitter, asking for a name. We’ve had a lot of support back, which was nice, but no one has come back with a name so far.

“I’ve offered a £5,000 reward for this person’s arrest. I just want him brought to justice.”

Police said the property at Viewlands Road West was broken into some time between 4pm on Saturday and 6am the following day.

A force spokesman said: “A house was broken into and a number of items including jewellery, electronic goods, and some Second World War medals were stolen.

“It is thought that the person or persons responsible may have made quite a bit of noise in gaining entry, and may have been in the property for some time before making off.”

He urged anyone with information to call 101 or freephone Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 333 111.

It looks like they spent a lot of time inside. This wasn’t a quick in and out job, they were obviously taking their time and looking through everything we had. GAVIN MACLEAN

The Maclean family home was ransacked while they were out celebrating their anniversary.