Stolen medals antique dealer freed from jail

A DISHONEST antiques dealer from Gloucester walked from court “a free man” after handling stolen medals worth £50,000 awarded to one of Britain’s greatest composers.

Sir Edward Elgar’s medals were stolen from his birthplace in Worcestershire and found their way into the possession of Craig McShane who ran an antiques business in Cricklade, Wiltshire.

The 43-year-old had the Enigma Variations composer’s Order of Merit and the Grand Cross of The Royal Victorian Order in his possession along with a signed photograph of the composer.

Having initially denied the three charges against him, McShane, of Ennerdale Avenue, Longlevens, pleaded guilty at yesterday’s hearing at Gloucester Crown Court to a single charge of dishonestly handling stolen goods between June 27, 2019 and February 20, 2020. The other two charges were ordered to lie on file without being proceeded with.

Lloyd Jenkins, defending, said: “McShane became involved in this because he kept the wrong sort of company, but it has been proven that his involvement in this offence was fairly limited.”

Mr Jenkins explained at an earlier hearing that McShane took possession of the items at his premises in Cricklade.

Judge Ian Lawrie QC told McShane: “Putting it mildly, this case has had a multitude of complications. But you ultimately paid the price for being involved with the wrong sort of people.

“This offence crosses the custody threshold and merits a six month prison sentence.

“However you have served longer than this in prison already, that means you will be released from custody today a free man.”

The judge also ordered McShane to pay £1,000 costs and a victim surcharge of £115.

The medals have been returned to the National Trust and the Elgar Foundation in Worcester.