Judge Orders Police to Return Phone Kept Over Burglar’s GDPR Rights

A judge has criticised the “ridiculous” situation where a theft victim couldn’t retrieve his stolen mobile phone due to data protection concerns for the burglar.

Melvyn Mainwaring’s Samsung phone was recovered by North Wales Police after Daniel Reid, 33, of Rhyl, stole it during a break-in at Pennington Terrace, Abergele.

Her Honour Nicola Jones ordered police to return the device, stating: “It’s ridiculous it will not be (returned). It just seems nonsensical. I do direct that North Wales Police return that telephone to Mr Mainwaring.”

Reid, who committed three burglaries across North Wales, including stealing £600 and food items from a mother’s flat in Rhos-on-Sea, has been jailed for three years and nine months.

In a victim statement, Mr Mainwaring described the loss of his phone as a “massive inconvenience”, noting he had irreplaceable photos on the device and continues paying £18 monthly for the contract.

Reid’s defence counsel, Dafydd Roberts, said his client had been homeless and offended out of “desperation”.