Ex marine jailed for medal theft

Craig Firth stole medals while working at the barracks

A former Royal Marine has been jailed for stealing military medals from colleagues at a barracks in Plymouth.

Craig Firth, 23, from Porthleven, Cornwall, was given a three-and-a-half year sentence at Plymouth Crown Court.

He appeared earlier alongside his uncle Geoffrey Jenkin, 34, from Helston, Cornwall, who was sentenced to two-and-a-half years for selling the medals on.

Sentencing them, Judge Paul Darlow said it was difficult to put into words how "despicable" their conduct was.

The court heard that Firth stole the medals from fellow 42 Commando Royal Marines at Bickleigh Barracks in Plymouth between 2005 and 2007.

'Treasured possessions'

At an earlier hearing he had pleaded guilty to four thefts of medals from marines and stealing a package of 31 medals belonging to the Ministry of Defence.

He had been working in the barrack's post-room at the time and also admitted taking a computer, digital camera, satellite navigation system, and items from the stores.

He asked for 22 other offences to be taken into consideration.

Jenkin also admitted at an earlier hearing to disposing of the stolen medals by selling them on the auction website eBay.

Firth was removed from front line duties after suffering injuries

Justice Darlow said the medals were valued at £25,000.

But he said: "It does not begin to reflect the value to those men who earned these medals - they are incapable of value."

The judge said the medals had been awarded for acts of heroism in theatres of war, including Iraq and Northern Ireland, as well as in recognition of long service.

He said Firth had "plundered" his colleagues' "treasured possessions".

"It is difficult to put into words how despicable this conduct was on both your behalves," he said.

'Opportunistic theft'

Jeremy Leaning, Firth's counsel, said things "began to go sour" when he suffered physical injuries and was removed from front line duties.

He said he was "sidelined" into clerical tasks and felt like the man "who comes on with the half-time oranges".

He said he had financial problems and what began as opportunistic theft "spiralled out of control".

Chris Hart, representing Jenkin, said his client had been made redundant and committed to crime "to make extra money".

He told the court Jenkin "unreservedly and wholeheartedly apologises".