Malvern homeless man's guitar found and man charged with theft

A 38 year-old man has been charged with theft after the guitar was recovered.

West Mercia Police confirmed 38-year-old Marcin Przechowski, of Pickersleigh Road, Malvern, has been charged with theft

He has been bailed to return to Worcester Magistrates' Court on June 16.

After an anonymous tip off, Malvern Safer Neighbourhood officers arrested a man at an address on Pickersleigh Road on this morning (April 28).

We reported last week how Phillip, a well-known figure in Malvern, claimed he had his guitar stolen while sleeping outside a shop in the town.

The incident provoked outrage from the community, but police managed to track down the guitar and return it to him.

Inspecting officer PC George Preston said: "It was music to my ears knowing we had located the guitar.

"The guitar has been returned to its rightful owner who was extremely grateful."

Shocking CCTV footage showed the guitar being stolen from Phillip while he was sleeping rough outside Fragrance House perfume shop in the town on April 16.

Philip, as he is known, has been in Malvern for some time, only recently becoming homeless.

He said: "When I woke up, it was gone. I woke up at about half past 11 and the guitar had been taken.

"I've been going through a bit of a rough patch, and this has made me feel worse on top of that, but I try not to let things affect me too much.

"I've become quite well known performing in the area, so I didn't expect anyone would do something like that."

In addition to his original guitar being restored, Phillip has also been given a new guitar, case and other accessories by Dennis Drumm.

Mr Drumm is CEO of JHS in Leeds, and donated the equipment after hearing his story.

Working with Danny Young from Fragrance House, the guitar was sent down from Yorkshire and given to Phillip on the same day.

The stolen guitar will be put up for auction by Phillip at a special charity event at the Railway Inn in Malvern Link.