A STOWMARKET man has pleaded guilty to stealing high-class jewellery and luggage worth �40,000 from a train.

Colin Adwent

A STOWMARKET man has pleaded guilty to stealing high-class jewellery and luggage worth �40,000 from a train.

Michael Jay, of Kent Road, appeared before magistrates in Bury St Edmunds yesterday charged with theft.

The 34-year-old was arrested on Thursday by British Transport Police, the day after an appeal for information was issued in the East Anglian Daily Times.

He was charged with theft later in the day. It is believed some of the jewellery which was stolen from the train at Stowmarket police station has been recovered.

Jay's case has now been sent to Ipswich Crown Court for sentencing after Bury St Edmunds' magistrates heard he admitted stealing a beige Tumi suitcase with contents to the value of �40,000 belonging to Anna Pelham.

Mrs Pelham had checked her silver-handled suitcase was safely stowed away in the luggage rack, when the train stopped at Colchester and Ipswich stations. However, when she arrived in Norwich she discovered the case had gone.

The theft was traced back to Stowmarket where a guard recalled having to hit the emergency stop button as the train was pulling away around 6.10pm on Friday, November 20.

A man was trying to get back on the train and told staff he had left his luggage aboard. It is believed he was seen leaving the platform with the Tumi suitcase.

In addition to the bracelet and earrings, the case also contained made-to-order diamond and white clip-on earrings with detachable drops worth �8,000.

There was also a �2,000 pair of Cartier small gold and diamond hoops, five long strands of pearls totalling �1,500, a pair of Eriksson Beamon black earrings worth �150, and a �180 leather jewellery roll.

Other items inside the case included an �850 Dolce & Gabbana jacket and a �520 pair of brown suede Prada boots.