Thief steals pensioner’s tree: A HEARTLESS thief has chopped down and stolen a tree from a pensioner’s garden in Shotton Colliery. The seven-foot cherry tree was removed from the 81-year-old woman’s garden in Thornhill Road between 9.30pm on Wednesday, April 23 and 10am the following day.

PC Dave Thomspon, of the Peterlee Neighbourhood Policing Team, said that the thief had attempted unsuccessfully to uproot the blossom-covered tree from the ground but then used a saw to cut it down before stealing it. A hedge was also damaged in the process.

Anyone who can help police trace the thief is asked to contact PC Thompson on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.