'The
case of the gormless giant garden gnome grappler' is a book title that Agatha
Christie probably would have rejected on the grounds that it just featured too
much alliteration, or contained a crime that was too unbelievable.
But
this is no work of fiction, it's a very real case, and local in fact.
If
you missed this story originally, a couple from Weekley Glebe Road in Kettering
had their two-foot tall garden ornament stolen, but the hapless thief was
pictured on CCTV, manhandling the oversize gnome before careering headfirst
through a fence, like he was auditioning for You've Been Framed.
Sadly,
the gnome was later found smashed to pieces, whether as a deliberate act of
trying to conceal evidence or just another example of the miscreant being
unable to stay upright whilst carrying such a large item of decorative garden
fixture, who knows?
The
footage has been seen by millions worldwide after it went viral on social
media, and was even featured on news sites around the globe.
I
have to say, I preferred it when Kettering was known for Wicksteed Park and
being the home town of comedian James Acaster and the band Temples, but at
least there is now a footnote to this story with a happier ending, as reported
in the Northants Telegraph.
Northamptonshire
Police officers very kindly bought the elderly couple two replacement giant
gnomes, which they did in their spare time lest anyone churlishly accuse them
of misuse of police time.
What
a lovely gesture, and one that the couple are said to be 'chuffed' with. It goes part way to restoring your faith in
human nature, doesn't it?
The
garden gnome grappler is still at large however, but let's hope he has learned
his lesson and leaves these and any other outsize neighbourhood ornaments, well
enough alone.
It
may have been a joke gone wrong, or a drunken prank, but these incidents can be
very unsettling for those to whom they happen.
An
apology would be good, gnome grappler!
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