This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-21374034

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Durham Oriental Museum artefact theft: a 'complete farce' Durham Oriental Museum artefact theft: a 'complete farce'
(about 4 hours later)
The theft of £1.8m worth of Chinese artefacts from a Durham museum was a "complete farce", a judge said. The theft of £1.8m worth of Chinese artefacts from a Durham museum was a "complete farce", a court has heard.
An 18th century jade bowl and a Dehua porcelain figurine were stolen during the raid at Durham University's Oriental Museum in April. An 18th Century jade bowl and a Dehua porcelain figurine were stolen during the raid at Durham University's Oriental Museum in April.
Lee Wildman, 35, and Adrian Stanton, 32, both from Walsall, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle.Lee Wildman, 35, and Adrian Stanton, 32, both from Walsall, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle.
The pair are due to be sentenced for their part in the raid at Durham Crown Court later.
Judge Christopher Prince said the plan was not "sophisticated" and had been reduced to a "complete farce".Judge Christopher Prince said the plan was not "sophisticated" and had been reduced to a "complete farce".
Durham Crown Court heard how the ornaments were hidden on waste land in the Browney Lane area of Durham after the break-in, "possibly in a panic" and could later not be found. The court heard how the ornaments were hidden on waste land in the Browney Lane area of Durham after the break-in, "possibly in a panic", and could later not be found.
A witness spotted Wildman two days later searching the waste land, speaking on his phone and "seeming agitated", the court heard.A witness spotted Wildman two days later searching the waste land, speaking on his phone and "seeming agitated", the court heard.
'Cultural importance''Cultural importance'
Judge Christopher Prince said: "This is not an offence that can be described as sophisticated. Judge Prince said: "This is not an offence that can be described as sophisticated.
"Although this burglary was carried out according to a prepared plan, there were elements towards the end of it that reduced the plan to complete farce.""Although this burglary was carried out according to a prepared plan, there were elements towards the end of it that reduced the plan to complete farce."
In court, the pair admitted only a small part in the plan, claiming they were recruited to try to steal the ornaments while the museum was open, then later providing a car for an unnamed gang.In court, the pair admitted only a small part in the plan, claiming they were recruited to try to steal the ornaments while the museum was open, then later providing a car for an unnamed gang.
The bowl and figurine were later found on the waste land by a member of the public.The bowl and figurine were later found on the waste land by a member of the public.
The judge said: "Lawyers with many years experience have not seen a case where thieves have hidden property where they just could not find it afterwards, let alone property of this cultural importance and enormous value."The judge said: "Lawyers with many years experience have not seen a case where thieves have hidden property where they just could not find it afterwards, let alone property of this cultural importance and enormous value."
Both men will be sentenced later along with four others charged in connection with the raid.Both men will be sentenced later along with four others charged in connection with the raid.