Man from Nailsea hoping to be reunited with his family's stolen war medals after the thief was caught in Romania

A man from Nailsea is hoping to be reunited with his family's stolen war medals after the thief was caught in Romania.

The medals and some jewellery were stolen from 86-year-old Roy Bowden during a burglary on Monday 20 January.

Claudiu Popa was stopped by police officers in Romania for a traffic offence on Monday 3 February.

Officers found a haul of stolen goods in the back of his car, including silverware, medals and jewellery.

Popa was jailed for three years and 10 months at Taunton Crown Court after admitting conspiracy to commit burglaries.

The conspiracy charge related to offences committed in Tickenham, Nailsea, Dyrham, Chilton Polden, Wedmore and Glastonbury.

He fled Romania after being released by police there, but was caught when he returned to Britain.

Mr Bowden says that of all the items stolen the medals hold particular sentimental value.

Despite initially being told that there was a low chance of recovering the medals, he received a phone call a fortnight later saying that Romanian police had arrested someone with war medals.

Mr Bowden is confident that the medals are those belonging to his family and is hoping to have them back soon.

Police say Popa admitted his involvement in multiple burglary offences and that the items found in his car had been stolen from homes within Somerset.

Officers are working with services in Romania to obtain photographs of all the recovered items and reunite them with their rightful owners.