6 October 2011

Guilty Plea For National Army Museum Medal Thief

Keith Davies pleaded guilty today in relation to the theft of hundreds of medals from the National Army Museum a decade ago. The former Territorial Forces Non Commissioned Officer was in charge of collating medals handed in by families for safe keeping in the Museum between 1995 and 2002.

"The theft of medals occurred over nine years ago - at a time when the museum was undergoing a range of procedural and structural changes,” says Colonel John Boswell.

"Since then the museum has a new team and new procedures are in place. Significant changes to security, accounting procedures and the level staff experience have occurred over the last few years in order to ensure best practice. It was these improved procedures that highlighted the thefts.”

“Every medal that is placed in the Museum's care is significant to both the military community and the wider NZ public. They represent acts of valour and courage, and recognise the huge sacrifices that our men and women have made for this country.”

“The NZ Army wishes to thank the New Zealand Police for their efforts to recover these medals and prosecute the offender who stole them.”

ENDS

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