Ornaments stolen from memorial garden for Smethwick teenager are returned
Ornaments stolen from a memorial garden dedicated to a teenage girl from Smethwick have been returned.
The sentimental items were taken from a tribute area set up outside the family home of 15-year-old Ruby Mae Reading, who died in March of last year.
The teen had a pre-existing health condition and the garden features items she helped create or which had a special meaning to her, West Midlands Police said.
Shaun Nelson, aged 31 and from Smethwick, and Wayne Woolley, aged 42 and of West Bromwich, were arrested following police enquiries and later charged with theft. The pair have since admitted the offence.
After hearing the victim impact statement read out in court expressing the family's upset, one of the men handed the stolen items over to the police to be returned.
Pc Matt Bourne, from the Smethwick neighbourhood team, said: "We were all gutted when we heard what had happened to Ruby's memorial garden.
"It's already been an incredibly tough time for her family and we were determined to find and get the sentimental ornaments back.
"When the men first appeared at court, the victim impact statement was read out and it expressed the devastation felt by the family. This led to one of the men handing the items over us so we could return them to their rightful owners."
The men are due to be sentenced at Dudley Magistrates Court in August.
Ruby’s mum, Gemma, added: "I'm so grateful to the officers from Smethwick neighbourhood team for all they have done.
"The memorial garden is our way of remembering Ruby, as it consists of things which were special to her and us. It means so much to us all."
