A man has been sentenced after admitting he handled a 100-year-old wooden eagle stolen from a church in Yelverton in 2025. The carved wooden eagle-shaped lectern was sawn off its pedestal and taken from St Paul's Church in May 2025, leaving the public aghast.
With support from the Neighbourhood Policing team in Tavistock, St Paul's Church issued a social media appeal and carried out enquiries in the local community, resulting in two witnesses coming forward. The eagle was recovered a few days later after an anonymous phone call revealed its whereabouts.
Thomas Brumby, aged 49, from Harrowbeer Lane, Yelverton, was arrested on suspicion of theft and criminal damage shortly afterwards. Following investigations, he appeared at Plymouth Magistrates' Court on Thursday, July 23, where he pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods. The Eagle has since been restored by a specialist and was returned to the church in July 2025.
On September 11, he returned to court, where magistrates were told that Brumby was in very poor physical health, suffered from mental health issues, and was currently homeless. He was ordered to pay £200 in compensation at a rate of £20 a month from his benefits. He was also ordered to take part in 15 days worth of rehabilitation activity.
Man Sentenced for Handling Stolen Church Eagle