Mother shops son to cops after graveyard theft

Wayne Robert Hucknall (33), of Treeton Crescent, Treeton, was sentenced to 18-weeks in jail on Monday at Rotherham Magistrates’ Court after being found guilty of the theft.

Hucknall struck at St Mary’s Church graveyard in Catcliffe on March 8 at around 2.35pm.

As the 80-year-old victim was tending to her husband’s grave Hucknall snatched her handbag containing £100 worth of goods.

Hucknall was identified when his mother contacted police following a public appeal.

Investigating officer PC Garry Pratt from Rotherham said: “This incident shocked the local community and I want to thank the public for the positive response we had to our appeals for information and witnesses.

“Both the victim and myself would like to offer our thanks to Hucknall’s mother, who came forward following our appeal as she suspected her son of being involved in this matter.

“I am pleased we have been able to secure a custodial sentence for this matter and I hope the local community are reassured by the positive action taken by police.”

He was ordered to pay £100 compensation and a victim surcharge of £80,

Hucknall also received an eight-week jail term to run concurrent for another offence of theft on May 13 after he stole £25 from his mother Kay Hucknall.

Hucknall, who originally denied the offence, was ordered to repay the stolen cash to his mother.

The magistrates condemned his crimes and said his first offence was “despicable” and the second was “a breach of trust against his mother”.