Burglar jailed after raid on offices at SS Great Britain

A man has been jailed for 18 weeks after breaking into the offices of the SS Great Britain. 

Paul David Hunter, 34, of no fixed address, was arrested at the popular attraction in the early hours of Sunday morning (April 12) after a member of the public reported hearing suspicious activity.

Officers arrived at the scene to find that a first-floor office window had been smashed.

They then found Mr Hunter inside with a key labelled ‘Property of SS Great Britain’ in one of his back pockets.

Hunter was sentenced when he appeared via Skype at Bristol Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Monday, April 13) where he pleaded guilty to burglary.

Paul Hunter was sentenced when he appeared via Skype at Bristol Magistrates’ Court (Avon and Somerset Constabulary)

SS Great Britain has been closed since March 20 due to the coronavirus epidemic.

In the meantime, the attraction has been asking for donations to ensure the conservation of the former passenger ship, created by Brunel and launched in 1843.

Detective Constable Adele Shallcross said: “Hunter broke into the offices of the SS Great Britain in the middle of the night no doubt thinking his crime would go undetected.

“But thanks to a conscientious member of the public concerned about noises they heard from inside, officers were able to apprehend him in the act.”