Stolen cello recovered

AN UNLIKELY stroke of luck has led to the amazing recovery of a talented Lewes boy's treasured cello.

The prized instrument, purchased only a week earlier, was stolen from the car belonging to Dan James' mother just days before he was due to embark on a tour of Scotland with the Brighton Youth Orchestra.

The car had been left for only a few minutes outside Safeway.

Express readers rallied around after the 16-year-old's plight was made public and several offers of cellos on loan were made, one of which Dan accepted.

The Scotland tour went ahead, And when Dan returned he learned that the stolen cello had been found in the Julian Dawson/Gorringes auction room in Lewes!

Said Dan's mother Val: 'It is amazing that it re-appeared for sale less than a mile from where it was stolen.

'We have Mr Dawson to thank for reading the Express and recognising that the cello in his auction might be the one that had been stolen.

'Dan is overjoyed and deeply grateful.

'The cello will be available for his performance with the Brighton Youth Orchestra tomorrow at Lewes Town Hall.

'Thank goodness Mr Dawson has sharp eyes. Otherwise by now the cello might have found its way into another pair of hands.'

Andrew Sherwood, Brighton Youth Orchestra director of music, said: 'It is great news for this young man to get his cello back, especially as he intends to take up a place at Trinity College in September.

'He had been advised that he needed a better cello and had just bought one, and traded in the old one, when it was stolen.'

Police are investigating the circumstances of the cello's re-appearance.

Said auctioneer Julian Dawson: 'The instrument was entered in good faith by a man. He was very surprised when he was told it would have to be withdrawn.

'I had read the Express article about the theft and had also been warned to look out for a cello. We don't often get cellos and this one had a very low reserve on it. Police are taking a statement.

'I am glad to have been of service and that justice was done.'

A police spokesman said the cello had been traced to a Brighton dealer and enquiries were being made to trace the person who sold it to him.