Stolen Art Watch, Kenny Captured, Paradise, Na, Luton Airport !!!

Antiques raider Michael Kenny back in jail

http://www.gazetteherald.co.uk/news/9013924.On_the_run_antiques_raider_back_in_jail/?ref=rss

A BURGLAR convicted of stealing valuables worth more than £35,000 from North Yorkshire country houses has been arrested after nearly four years on the run.

Michael Edward Kenny, 50, was named one of the “most wanted” criminals in Britain when he skipped bail and missed his trial at York Crown Court in 2007.

He was sentenced to eight years in prison in his absence for six high-value burglaries involving the theft of antiques, paintings and jewellery worth thousands of pounds from six houses in the Malton, Great Broughton and York areas. Police finally tracked him down to Luton in Bedfordshire, where he was arrested by local police on Thursday.

He will now serve his sentence and faces additional court hearings in connection with his disappearance.

Det Insp Ian Dyer, of York CID, said: “I am very pleased that we have been able to bring Kenny to justice. His arrest should send a clear message that we will never stop searching for those people who believe they can evade justice. We will now await the outcome and results of further court hearings with interest.”

Kenny used his girlfriend’s York home as a base for targeting secluded and isolated properties including Foston Hall, near Whitwell-on-the-Hill, Settrington House, near Malton, and South Park, at Hutton Wandesley, near Rufforth.

He was said to have got away with valuable items worth £7,500 from Foston Hall and antiques worth £11,500 from Settrington House in 2004.

He also took a £3,000 painting from South Park which was later offered for sale at a London auction house.

A warrant was issued by the court in November 2007, when Kenny failed to turn up for his trial.

Police issued a further media appeal in March this year to help trace him.

Update:

Antiques no-show - police catch up with thief

http://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/index.aspx?articleid=6705

A prolific antiques burglar is facing eight years and eight months in jail after police curtailed his life on the run.

50-year-old Michael Edward Kenny from London, who was already facing eight years imprisonment, was today given an additional eight months by Judge Stephen Ashurst at York Crown Court.

Kenny has been on the run from police since November 2007 when he failed to turn up for his trial on 13 November 2007.

He was found guilty in his absence of six high-value burglaries following the theft of antiques, paintings and jewellery worth thousands of pounds from six houses in the Malton, Great Broughton and York areas. He was sentenced to eight years in jail on 15 November 2007.

An bench warrant for his arrest was issued by the court on 13 November 2007 and extensive police enquiries followed.

Despite attempts to cover his tracks and living under false names, police tracked Kenny down to Luton in Bedfordshire where he was arrested on 6 May.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Madgwick, said: "Today's outcome is the result of a determined and tenacious team of police officers and staff and I am extremely pleased that we have finally been able to bring Kenny to justice.

"His sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes, and will hopefully bring some closure to the victims of his crimes.

"Kenny's arrest sends a clear message to the criminal world that we will never give up searching for those people who believe they can evade justice.

"This is an excellent example of how police forces work together, sharing information and intelligence to bring offenders to justice. My thanks go to the Bedfordshire officers for their help in apprehending Kenny."