Thief who stole officer’s charity box is caught by her police force

A THIEF who stole a charity collection for a police officer who has been given a year to live was caught by the officer’s own police force.

Mum of one Jade Goffin has described her pride in her colleagues after they tracked down a man who stole money to be used for her to receive potentially life-changing treatment.

Jade, who is originally from Pembrokeshire, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, and following surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, was given the all-clear.

But after going to A&E in June after complaining of horrendous headaches the 30-year-old was found to have seven tumours on her brain.

Due to the position and number of “masses” doctors said removing them was not an option and gave her between 12 and 24 months to live.

Family and friends are now rallying around the Metropolitan Police officer to raise £250,000 for her to undergo pioneering treatment in the United States.

Now, only weeks after a collection box was stolen from a pub in Hounslow, Jade’s colleagues have come to her aid to find the man responsible.

Jade, mum to five-year-old daughter Eva, said: “The CCTV was posted on social media. My team were working on the day and a member of the public phoned up saying he was on the high street in Hounslow.

“The police station is just off the high street and one of the girls came straight out and apprehended him.

“I did my training with her so it was really nice. They’ve been feeling a bit useless [about my diagnosis] so it’s nice they feel they could do something.”

On Monday Thomas Colley, 33, from Hounslow, was sentenced to 26 weeks’ imprisonment at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court after admitting theft.

He was also ordered to pay £200 compensation to the Just Jade charity, as well as a £115 victim surcharge and £85 court costs, Get West London reports.

For Jade the court case marks the start of an important week for both her and her family since her diagnosis.

On Wednesday the police officer was offered a consultation at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, United States.

The emergency response worker will now travel to the world-leading centre on Monday to meet specialists and discuss possible treatments.

Jade, who is married to Gareth, said yesterday: “Dana-Farber have got about 700 trials for all different cancers so if anyone is in the know it will be them.”