Man in court over diesel theft

Updated 11.08 Thu Jun 26 2008

Keywords: court, theft, Frank and Rosemary Dove, County Durham, diesel

A man is to appear in court in connection with a diesel raid during which a farmer's wife died.

Frank and Rosemary Dove were returning home to their farm in Country Durham on Sunday night when they spotted a man who appeared to be stealing red diesel.

Grandmother Rosemary Dove, 68, had run into the farmhouse to call 999, and collapsed and died

Mr Dove and his son, Michael, chased the man to a field, where the younger man was badly injured when he was hit by a getaway vehicle.

Grandmother Rosemary Dove, 68, had run into the farmhouse to call 999, and collapsed and died.

A Durham Police spokesman said a 21-year-old man who was arrested at Coundon, near the farm at Bishop Middleham, has been charged with a series of offences.

The spokesman said: "He is accused of wounding 43-year-old Michael Dove with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, theft of diesel fuel, theft of a Mitsubishi L200 pick-up and having no insurance."

He was also charged by North Yorkshire Police with dishonestly handling a stolen motor vehicle over alleged offences last month.

The man is due to appear before magistrates in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, later.