A quick-thinking press photographer helped bring a teenage thief to justice with just a few frames of film.

Bolton Evening News photographer Marc Berry got pictures of a youth breaking into a Range Rover in a church car park and published them in the paper in a bid to identify the culprit.

The unusual course of action worked and the 19-year-old was convicted by Bolton magistrates.

The newspaper has now come in for praise from the victim – and the vicar of the church where the incident took place.

Evening News editor Steve Hughes said he was pleased to give the story such prominent coverage.

He said: “We’re obviously happy that we could be of some help.

“Our offices overlook the churchyard and we were aware that there was a big wedding going on.

“Someone noticed two suspicious characters wearing hooded tops who were going to the window of every car.

“We thought they were up to no good so we alerted photographic and called the police. Almost straight after that they smashed a window and we got the pictures.

“It’s the second time that we’ve done this and we’re hoping that by giving it prominent coverage it will act as a deterrent.”

The paper got involved when staff spotted two youths acting suspiciously in a nearby car park. Photographer Marc began snapping away and caught them on camera as they broke into a Range Rover.

After the Bolton Evening News published a series of the photographs, one of the pictured youths was recognised by readers who contacted police.

David Owen, of Fair Street, Bolton, was snapped breaking into Nicholas Hill’s car at Bolton Parish Church as he attended a wedding.

Appearing before Bolton magistrates, he admitted a charge of theft and was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay compensation of £360 and £30 court costs.

Nicholas Hill said: “I would like to thank the Bolton Evening News for its help. Printing the pictures certainly worked and it’s a shame it can’t always happen like that.”

Canon Michael Williams, the vicar of Bolton, said: “We are very lucky that the churchyard is so close to the Bolton Evening News building.

“We are grateful that staff at the paper have been alert in spotting people hanging about with criminal intent and that someone has received a just punishment for their crime.”

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