Family uncovers haul of stolen golf trophies

Historic trophies stolen in a golf club burglary have been discovered by a family out for a walk on the banks of the River Wear in Sunderland.

Twelve trophies and a commemorative plate were found in the water near the fire-hit Golden Lion pub in SouthHyltonattheweekend.

Detectives have now confirmed the sporting trophies were amongitemsstolen during a burglary at Chester-leStreet Golf Club at around 8.30pm on Sunday, April 5, including The Hermitage Cup, which dates back to 1912.

Although most of the missing items taken during the burglary remain outstanding, golf club officials are said to be “ecstatic” that some have now been recovered.

Intruders forced entry to the clubhouse and took around 40 pieces of silverware from the trophy cabinet before leaving the area in a vehicle.

On Sunday, a family were walkingalongtheriverbanks nearthepub,whichwasdamaged in a suspected arson attack last July, when something caught their eye.

DetectiveConstableChris Bentham, of Durham Constabulary, said: “A lady gotintouchwithusto sayshehadbeenout walking with her partner and son when they noticed something glinting inthedeepmudnear the riverbank. “They went home to retrieve some wellies and waded out into the river where they have recovered the trophies, then took them home to clean them up.

“The trophies have suffered some damage but they are intact and are clearly identifiable. The family have done extremely well to recover them and the club are ecstatic.”