Everton fan caught with stolen Liverpool medal
Jul 1 2006
Daily Post
Jerzy Dudek's Champions League winners medal, along with his Super Cup winners medal and FIFA Club World Championship runners-up medal
AN EVERTON fan was caught with Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek's stolen football memorabilia.
Martin Roche, 26, of Brainerd Street, Old Swan, yesterday pleaded guilty to handling the property.
The star first realised he had been burgled on Monday, June 19, when he arrived home to his luxury house in Caldy, Wirral, after a holiday to his native Poland.
Thieves had smashed the rear patio doors and ransacked the property, stripping the goalkeeper of more than £100,000 worth of items, including his Champions League 2005 medal.
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Although Roche did not take part in the burglary, he did admit hoarding two hold-alls and three plastic bags containing approximately £40,000 worth of football memorabilia.
Birkenhead Magistrates' Court heard that Roche had been walking home from the pub in Tuebrook when he was approached by a friend who asked him to look after some things.
Adam White, defending, said: "He looked in the bags and saw a Gucci and Frank Muller watch, the goalkeeper's gloves and quite a number of jerseys, to his horror.
"He believes he has a warrant for non-payment of fines in relation to the court so does not want to tell the police."
But when police officers called at the house he admitted his involvement and led them to the stash.
Roche was conditionally bailed pending sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court and is to appear again at Birkenhead Magistrates' Court on July 28 for a pre-sentence hearing. Roche's girlfriend, Melanie Mackerth, 23, far right, who lives with Roche, also appeared in court yesterday on the same charges but did not enter a plea.
She was bailed on the same conditions.
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Tsk tsk.