'Perpetual trauma' after model train collection thefts

A family has described "living through a perpetual trauma" following the thefts of a model steam train collection and two vintage motorcycles from the former home of their 93-year-old father.

Thames Valley Police said the thefts had taken place at an unoccupied address in Appleton, Oxfordshire, between 28 April and 6 May 2026.

Four men from Oxford have been convicted in connection with the burglaries, with three handed suspended prison sentences.

The man's family said the thefts happened soon after he had been moved into a care home.

They said thousands of pounds worth of valuable and highly sentimental items had been stolen.

"The invasion of his home and the burglaries destroyed all of that in one devastating blow," the family said of their father's extensive collection.

"Since last May we have been living through a perpetual trauma due to the stress the burglaries have caused."

At Oxford Crown Court on 13 August, Harley Watts and Nathan Davies each received 24 month suspended prison sentences, having previously admitted to burglary of a dwelling.

Watts, 23, was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, while Davies, 22, was handed 150 hours.

The court also ordered both to pay compensation to the victims.

It comes after James Andrews received an 18-month suspended sentence and was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work at the same court in April.

A fourth man, Adam Bottley, was also told to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work at the same hearing.

Andrews, 36, and Bottley, 30, previously pleaded guilty to theft of a dwelling in connection with the incidents.

Thames Valley Police said the victim had been a lifelong engineer, collector and restorer.

"Over many decades he had amassed an extensive collection including model steam engines, boats, vintage motorcycles, antiques and other historic items," it said.

Although it has recovered most of the items stolen from the man's collection, the force said two vintage motorcycles and a green GWR locomotive model were still missing.

"We remain hopeful that more items can still be recovered, particularly the missing steam engine, which was his pride and joy, and the two vintage motorbikes he was restoring at the time," the man's family said.

"We have been extremely lucky to retrieve some of the stolen items, thanks to the police and the amazing public response, which has been incredibly heartening.

"The real tragedy is that our dad can never see his home again, and this is really difficult to live with."