Wilton man avoids jail for stealing digger from Great Durnford pub
The venue was undergoing a renovation at the time
A Wilton man's been sentenced for stealing a digger from a pub in Great Durnford - but avoided jail.
25 year old Connor Harfield, from Hart Close, was found guilty on a non-domestic burglary, at Winchester Crown Court.
He's been given a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months; ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work, pay £2,000 in compensation; and £600 in costs.
What happened?
A digger was stolen from outside the Black Horse pub in Great Durnford in August 2023.
The site had been locked up as the pub was undergoing a renovation at the time.
Harfield used an angle grinder to remove the locked gate, while wearing high-vis and a helmet.
He and two unknown men were then seen loading a JCB mini excavator, worth £16,500, into the back of a van.
The keys had been taken from the office on site, and the digger's roof was sawn off to fit it into the van.
The group were disturbed while also trying to steal a generator and left in the van.
PC Willdigg of Salisbury Response said: “Theft of machinery has significant impacts for the victims – there’s not just the financial loss but it can result in lengthy project delays.
“Harfield showed no regard for the impact his crimes would have on the victim and despite clear evidence linking him to the scene, still pleaded not guilty.
“I’m pleased he has now been sentenced for his crime.”