Flag returned to grateful owner

A FLAG in support of Dunbeg motorcycle racer John McPhee that was stolen by a ‘ vagrant’ has been returned after being found by police.

The bespoke flag was taken on Monday evening before the man, who is believed to be homeless and walking across Scotland, made a victory dance in front of the Dunbeg shop’s CCTV camera.

An outraged Murray Young, one of the owners of the shop, took to Facebook to rant about his missing flag that he had specially made.

He put some footage of the man online in order to find him and have his flag returned.

That’s when Police Constable Jade Sutherland, from Oban Police Station, stepped in. She picked up on a lead from one of the comments on the Dunbeg shop Facebook page.

Constable Sutherland then worked with her colleagues Constable Lara Noble and Detective Constable Alasdair Dewar, who found the man near to Balvicar and retrieved the flag.

The man, who has not been named by police, was then given an official warning for theft. He was also offered help and support by officers for a number of issues.

PC Sutherland returned the flag to Dunbeg Stores and into the safe hands of Mr Young and his colleague Willie Dunlop. Mr Young said: ‘Great work all round.’