A MAN has been given a fine and conditional discharge for stealing property from the owner of a car involved in a fatal crash.
On October 15 2010 a fatal crash occured on the M25 motorway near South Ockenden that took the life of Izabela Derbis, aged 27 years, from west London, who was a rear seat passenger in a friends car when it was involved in a collision with other vehicles. As a result of her injuries Izabela died at the scene. The car she was travelling in was recovered by a recovery agent where it was placed into storage whilst police officers conducted their investigation.
The investigation was then hampered when property from the car was found to be missing, namely a Tom Tom sat nav and an iPhone. Enquiries were then made into the alleged theft of these items and Anthony Brown, 49 of Cruick Avenue, South Ockenden, who was then a security guard with the recovery agent, was arrested on suspicion of the theft. A thorough investigation resulted in charges for theft, which Anthony Brown pleaded guilty, at Court in December 2011.
On Friday, January 20 2012 he appeared before Magistrates at Basildon and was sentenced to a two-year conditional discharge. He was ordered to pay compensation and £800 costs.
Ps Catherine Offord from the Serious Collision Investigation unit said: “This is a despicable crime. To think that someone can steal from a car which they know is involved in someones death is abhorent. Mr Brown did not assist the investigation and it was only due to the tenacity of the investigating officers, Pc Pete Harris and case worker Miss Jenny Shearman, that the prosecution was a success.”
*There are currently legal proceedings continuing against two men who are charged in connection with Izabela Debris’ death. The next court hearing is on January 27.
