Second arrest over stolen monkeys

The monkeys had been donated to the farm

A second person has been arrested over the theft of two rare monkeys from a County Durham farm.

The pair of Goeldi's monkeys, worth £4,000, were taken from Tweddle Animal Farm, Blackhall Colliery, on 22 June.

A 44-year-old man suspected of handling stolen goods has been arrested and detained under the Mental Health Act.

Following a tip-off, the monkeys were recovered in a police raid at a South Shields house on 10 July. A woman was arrested on suspicion of burglary.

The woman, 21, was bailed pending further inquiries following the raid at Wapping Street.

The Goeldi's monkeys, thought to be among only 10 in the UK, have since been returned to their owners.

They were originally donated to the farm, where it is hoped they will breed.