The veteran whose stolen watch turned up in Manchester - 300 miles from site of theft
manchestereveningnews.co.ukA veteran's service medals and jewellery have been found, five years after they were stolen from his home - with his watch turning up 300 miles from the site of the theft.
Peter Mitchell, 61, from Plymouth, Devon, was burgled in September 2019 when burglars forced entry to his home and stole a number of items, including jewellery, gold sovereign coins and his service medals.
Mr Mitchell had served in the British Army with the Parachute Regiment before transferring into the Royal Logistic Corps, and was awarded medals in recognition for his service during Operation Haven, which aimed to defend hundreds of thousands of Kurdish refugees who fled Iraq in April 1991. READ MORE: 'On ma gran's grave ama finish youse...' The sick messages sent by evil thug who made his partner's life a misery His medals remained missing until last week, when Plymouth community interest company Clean Our Patch discovered the war medals, coins and some of the jewellery hidden in a pillowcase in a carrier bag.
It posted a picture of the find, near the former railway depot, on its Facebook page where a member of the public recognised the items from a previous police appeal. “I would like to say, one is humbled by the volunteer litter pickers," Mr Mitchell told PA. "Despite challenging times, they chose to return their findings and generously dedicate their time to clean up after us.” Following the burglary, Devon and Cornwall Police issued a photo appeal – with a piece of the jewellery found in a shop in Plymouth, and a watch located in Manchester, a short time later.
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