Sentencing adjourned for man who sold parts of Altwood memorial

The sentencing of a Maidenhead man who admitted trying to sell cut up parts of the Altwood memorial has been adjourned.

Adam Brettell, 31, returned to Reading Crown Court today after admitting handling stolen goods last month but sentencing was adjourned due to insufficient evidence.

Judge Ian Grainger said Brettell, of Evenlode, could not be sentenced until they had determined how much he knew about the stolen copper.

Brettell claims he did not know it had come from a statue.

He was arrested after the memorial, The Companions, was stolen from Ray Mill Island in October last year.

It had been placed there to commemorate four Maidenhead boys who died on a school trip.

Brettell, who was caught selling the bronze to a scrap metal merchant, will have to issue a written plea by Friday and the Crown Prosecution Service will have until Friday, March 30, to respond.

A hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 3, to set a date for the calling of evidence.

He remains on conditional bail.