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'Appalling' thief stole flowers from Glade of Light arena attack memorial TWICE in a week

A south Manchester man stole flowers from the Glade of Light Manchester Arena memorial TWICE in the space of a week.

Pavel Smejkal, of Fernleaf Street, Moss Side, admitted two charges of theft by finding at Manchester Magistrates’ Court. He was sentenced by the bench today (May 26).

Smejkal, 63, stole the flowers on January 18 and January 20 of last year. In court, he claimed he did not know the Glade of Light was a memorial.

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Smejkal was spotted on CCTV approaching the memorial around 3.30am on January 20, and took some flowers from the site.

The police were then contacted by the council, and apprehended Smejkal later that morning. During his interview, he claimed not to have known that it was a memorial. He also admitted taking flowers previously on January 18.

He admitted his guilt at court but persisted with his claims not to know that it was a memorial. His explanation was rejected by the court and, today (May 26), he was sentenced to a 12 month community order, and now must complete 120 hours of unpaid work.

Following the hearing, Danielle Allanson, District Crown Prosecutor at CPS North West said Smejkal’s crimes ‘appalled’ her. She said: “The memorial is an important tribute for Manchester and the families of those who tragically lost their lives in the terrorist attack six years ago.

“I am appalled that anyone would steal flowers from a memorial. The CPS will robustly prosecute those who commit appalling offences such as this.”

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