Thief Who Stole Laptop During Boy's Funeral Jailed
While appeal continues for computer containing pictures of owner's son
A heartless thief who stole a man's laptop while he was at the funeral of his six year-old son has been jailed for four and a half years.
Franklyn Mathurin, 47, of no fixed address, had previously pleaded guilty to one count of burglary and had another count of burglary taken into consideration at Harrow Crown Court on Tuesday, 2 February.
The laptop he stole was being used to show photos of a young boy who had died of a rare illness during the service at a church in Hammersmith and Fulham on November 2, 2015.
The funeral took place at Pentecostal City Church on Scrubs Lane, NW10.
During the service, the laptop was being used to show photos of the boy's short life. After the funeral service finished at about 1pm the mourners left the church to go to Kensal Rise for the burial ceremony. When they returned to the church they discovered the laptop had been stolen.
Following a police investigation, Mathurin was arrested and charged with burglary on November 28, 2015.
The burglary taken into consideration took place at a flat in Harrow Road, NW10, on September 17.
The computer taken was a HP laptop serial number 8CG42003G6. It has still not been recovered and anyone with information on its whereabouts is asked to call Hammersmith and Fulham CID on 020 8246 2505 or to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
February 3, 2016
