Time to cop a bargain as Northamptonshire Police put unclaimed jewellery on eBay

A local eBay seller is auctioning off some highly desirable gold jewellery — just don't ask where it came from!

Northamptonshire Police spent more than a year trying to find the rightful owners of some 9ct gold bling without success.

So, the three rings — a ruby and diamond cluster, a pale blue solitaire, and a mounted South African Krugerand coin — are up for grabs to the highest bidder until Tuesday.

A spokesman for the Force said: “These items came into the possession of Northamptonshire Police and unfortunately, despite enquiries, the true owner cannot be ascertained.

"The Force is therefore disposing of the item in accordance with the Police (Property) Regulations 1997. These regulations allow the item to be sold after 12 months and the net proceeds from the sale to be paid into the Police Property Act Fund.

"The monies in the Fund are used to support local charities and community projects in Northamptonshire.”

Before Christmas, watches and jewellery seized from a notorious Northamptonshire crime family were sold off for nearly £30,000 on eBay.

On that occasion, Police used new legislation under the Proceeds of Crime Act to force James Devlin and his three sons to forfeit belongings when they were declared unable to pay back nearly £86,000 to cover costs of tools and goods stolen during a massive crime spree.

The sale included a diamond ring which netted £13,433, and two Rolex watches that sold for more than £10,000.

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