A SECURITY guard has appeared in court accused of stealing an historic ceremonial badge valued at £55,000.

Gavin Fletcher, 35, has been accused of the theft of the symbol of office worn by the mayoress of Carlisle.

Appearing at the city’s magistrates’ court, he entered no plea to a series of charges.

He is accused of the theft in the aftermath of Storm Desmond in December, which gutted part of Carlisle City Council’s Civic Centre headquarters.

Police say the 18-carat gold badge was stolen from a strong room at the centre, in Rickergate.

Parts of the badge have been recovered, but others broken up and destroyed, officers have said.

Fletcher, of Roman Way, Penrith, faces a number of allegations:

  • The burglary and theft of the 117-year-old mayoral broach, between January 10 and 15, from a strong room at the Civic Centre
  • Burglary and theft from a secure basement at the Civic Centre in which a water pump was stolen between January 20 and 21
  • Taking a Peugeot 207 car without the owner’s consent on the same date
  • Using that vehicle without insurance
  • Theft of a drill and camcorder from Carlisle City Council between December 5 and 13, having entered a building as a trespasser.

Pam Ward, prosecuting, told District Judge Gerald Chalk that Fletcher had been working as s security guard at the Civic Centre in the aftermath of the flooding. He was not an employee of the council. The accused’s lawyer, John Smith, said his client would not be entering any pleas.

He was granted conditional bail ahead of a hearing at Carlisle Crown Court on March 14.

The badge stolen was worn by the mayoress on official engagements when she accompanies the mayor.

It was originally bought in 1899. Its most recent valuation was one of up to £55,000,