Man pleads guilty over church eagle theft

A man has pleaded guilty after a 100-year-old wooden eagle was stolen from a church.

The hand-carved lectern sculpture was sawn off its pedestal and removed from St Paul's Church, Yelverton, in May 2025, Devon and Cornwall Police said.

Thomas Brumby, 49, of Harrowbeer Lane, Yelverton, was arrested on suspicion of theft and criminal damage shortly afterwards.

He pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods during a hearing at Plymouth Magistrates' Court on 22 July and is due to be sentenced on 11 September.

The eagle has since been restored by a specialist and was returned to the church in July 2025.

Sgt Tom Ottley said: "We're pleased that the efforts of the neighbourhood policing team in Tavistock have led to a charge and that the eagle has been rightfully returned to St Paul's Church.

"I would like to thank the people of Yelverton for their support - this wouldn't have been possible without the information they provided to us.

"I hope that this outcome offers reassurance to the local community and sends a clear message that criminal activity that threatens our valuable history will not be tolerated."

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