Man stole 'priceless' silver after cutting hole through museum floor

A hole was cut to gain access to a display cabinet

A man has been jailed over the theft of "priceless" antique silverware from a military museum in Nottinghamshire.

Graham Gallon drilled through a display case at the Royal Lancers & Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Museum in Thoresby Park in October, police said.

His DNA was found on a silver cup, which he was not able to squeeze through the gap in the floor.

The theft was discovered by a volunteer who found a decorative Halloween skeleton left under the hole.

Gallon was jailed for two and a half years at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday.

Graham Gallon admitted a charge of burglary

Gallon, of Carrington Terrace in Rotherham, denied ever having visited the museum when he was arrested, Nottinghamshire Police said.

But the 36-year-old subsequently pleaded guilty to burglary in court.

Police said he snuck into the grounds of the museum, near Ollerton, in the early hours of 29 October before gaining access to the display case.

He then stole artefacts including a distinctive parcel and gilt rosewater dish - said to be the sister piece to the Wimbledon women's singles trophy.

Police fear the stolen items might have been melted down

The stolen items have not been recovered, and the force believes they might have been melted down.

A 24-year-old woman and a 47-year-old man have also been arrested over the case and remain under investigation.

Det Con India Woodrow said: "Gallon came to our attention very soon in our investigation and I am pleased that we were able to conclusively link him to this offence.

"We do not believe that he acted alone, and our investigation is continuing at pace."