Police refused to return a stolen phone to a victim because it might infringe the privacy rights of the thief who went on to use it.
Melvyn Mainwaring awoke on May 18 to find his phone, bank cards and bus pass were all missing. The phone was later found by police in the possession of Daniel Reid.
Normally, this would be a success story. But no-one can have those anymore, and the UK police farces are experts at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
However, police soon discovered that Reid had been using the phone and had claimed it was his own. Now North Wales Police are refusing to return the phone to Mr Mainwaring, claiming it would infringe on GDPR (General Data Protection Reulation) rights of Reid.
The judge, fortunately, wasn't having any, unsurprisingly, since GDPR doesn't apply to individuals, but to organisations:
A judge today blasted the 'nonsensical' situation. Her Honour Nicola Jones, ordered the police to return the phone at a sentencing hearing in Caernarfon Crown Court. Judge Jones asked if Mr Mainwaring was having difficulties having his phone returned 'because of GDPR'. The prosecutor Mr McLoughlin replied: 'I do not know. It would not surprise me.'
Heh! It wouldn't surprise any of us, Mr McLoughlin.
The judge pointed out that Reid did not consider the victim's GDPR rights when he took the phone, adding: 'It's ridiculous it will not be (returned). 'It just seems nonsensical. I do direct that North Wales Police return that telephone to Mr Mainwaring.'
What did he get from this judge?
The judge sentenced him to three years and four months for the burglary in Rhos-on-Sea, 16 months concurrent for the Abergele burglary, and four months consecutive for the hotel burglary. There was also a one-month consecutive jail term for a Bail Act offence.
Probably not enough, since he's a scofflaw. But I can't help but feel there's a few cops who should be in the dock with him.
H/T: Wearefaircop via Twitter
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