A HABITUAL thief was stuffed when a determined taxidermist vowed to hunt down items stolen during a burglary at his home.

Andrew Mark Wilmott was snared after selling the stolen stuffed animals to an antique dealer in Hay-on-Wye - who contacted rightful owner, taxidermy enthusiast Anthony Powell after being advised they could be stolen.

Anthony, of Pant-y-Dwr, near Rhayader, said he had spread the word about the burglary to try and find who had stolen the stuffed red squirrel, a jay and a stoat, that were mounted and encased for display.

Following his own investigations Anthony contacted police who arrested 47-year-old Wilmott of Llewellyn Road, Kington.

He was convicted of handling stolen goods following a trial and appeared before magistrates in Brecon for sentence.

Sati Bains, defending, said Wilmott had a long history of offending and had been introduced to the criminal lifestyle as a child by his own father.

Magistrates jailed Wilmott for three months - but suspended the sentence for a year, during which time he will also be on probation and must carry out 150 hours unpaid work.

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