A 61-year-old whose late wife’s favourite statue was stolen had his “faith restored” when he woke on Thursday to find it back in his front garden.

The marble angel was stolen from Charles Piper’s garden in Thames Ditton on June 23, leaving him heartbroken because he was due to scatter his wife’s ashes under it the following week.

Touched by his story, Shoots Garden Centre, in Cobham, stepped in and donated a replacement statue.

They chose a statue of a sleeping angel because they thought it symbolised his wife, Esther, who passed away on New Year’s Day.

After two stories in this paper, Mr Piper woke on Thursday morning to find the stolen statue had been returned anonymously and dropped in his front garden in a carrier bag.

He said: “They’ve obviously read about it and its hit their conscience. I’m so, so pleased to have it back. I’ve got two lovely statues now.

“I’m just so grateful someone has had the conscience to bring it back. I don’t care who it was, I’m just glad its been returned.”

Elmbridge Inspector Richard Haycock described it as an outstanding result for all concerned.

He said: “This was a cynical crime where an item of great sentimental value to the victim was taken.

“I would like to thank all the members of the public who came forward to offer their help and to pass on information, which I think is a really positive step for the community.

“It is often not the huge crimes which the local teams deal with but the crimes which have a major impact on the lives of ordinary people in Elmbridge.

“It is on these occasions that the knowledge and commitment of the local policing team can prove invaluable and this is a great result for the victim and the Thames Ditton community as a whole.”

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