Polite Thief Returns Musical Instrument

A “gentlemanly thief” recently returned a violin worth £250 000 back to its owner after he realised that he might be considered a criminal.

Musician Stephen Morris accidentally left the 310-year-old classical instrument in a South London-bound train last month after a recording session at Abbey Road studios, and completely lost track of it.

Morris then contacted his friend Mike Pannet – who also happened to be a retired Scotland Yard officer – to get his property back.

It was later revealed through CCTV footage that a fellow passenger – a man who referred to himself as “Gene” – picked up the violin, not realising its worth. His image was later released to the public to assist in the search

Gene later tweeted at Morris, mentioning that he recognised the man in the photo. After two days of negotiation, they agreed to meet up at a car park at 10pm on Friday, 1 November.

Mr Pannett, one of the officers overwatching the handover, said: “It was very tense. All he wanted was to apologise, shake [Stephen Morris’] hand and make nothing more of it.”

He added: “It couldn’t have ended in a happier way.”