Thief stole from man after body discovered

A THIEF who discovered his friend had died at home and decided to burgle him instead of tellinganybodyhasbeenjailedfor five years for the callous crime.

Heartless Brian Thompson found the body of his friend Adrian Carter after calling at his home in Hull in May last year.

But instead of raising the alarm, 59- year- old Thompson raided the home and lined his pockets, returning on nine occasions to help himself to Mr Carter’s possessions.

In a case described by Humberside Police as “disturbing”, Thompson left Mr Carter’s body lying at home for eight days as he stole various belongings – including the victim’s beloved pet cockatiel.

He was later caught and charged with burglary and preventing Mr Carter’s lawful burial, charges which he denied but was found guilty of by a jury at Hull Crown Court yesterday.

The jury heard how Mr Carter was believed to have died overnight on May 17 last year, but was not discovered until May 28.

Welcoming the verdict, Detective Sergeant Kevin Goodman who led the investigation said: “From the very beginning of this investigation, it was not only disturbing, but tragic to unravel the circumstances surrounding the burglary. I am very pleased that justice has been served.

“Adrian Carter had trusted his friend so much that he had given him a key to his property; trust that was completely taken advantage of. It is very difficult for me to understand what would be going through someone’s mind to steal from someone that had passed away, especially someone that had called you a friend.”