UPDATED: Therapy centre’s plea to return important laptop after burglary spree

Two men have been charged with burglary following a series of break-ins at Hemel Hempstead town centre businesses last week.
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Daniel Butler, aged 24 and of no fixed abode, and Luke Butler, aged 24 and of Cuffley Court in Hemel Hempstead were both arrested on Friday in connection with the incidents, which all took place overnight between Wednesday, October 1 and the following Thursday.

During the crime spree, money was stolen from the West Herts College campus on Marlowes, and a shop on Queensway was broken into.

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The Old Town’s Enchanted Oak holistic and spiritual centre was also targeted, and a laptop and till were stolen.

Helen Lehrle, who runs the store and counselling service with business partner Chris Leverett, said charity boxes for the RAF Benevolent Fund and Hospice of St Francis were also taken in the raid, with a total of almost £200 in them combined.

But Helen is also appealing for anyone who may be approached to buy the store’s vitally important black and silver Toshiba laptop to return it to them.

She said although the computer itself is not worth much, it contains details of workshops used to help cancer patients and other courses run from the Enchanted Oak.

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She said: “We are pleading for the laptop to be returned to us if found. The community have been brilliant and the support they have given us has been lovely.

“We are doing our bit for the community and it is sad someone could do that.”

Daniel Butler appeared at Hatfield Remand Court on Friday and has been remanded into custody before his next appearance, before St Albans Crown Court on October 17.

The following day, Luke Butler appeared before the same court and pleaded guilty to burglary. He was jailed for 18 weeks and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £80.

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Chief Insp for Dacorum Glen Channer said: “These arrests were made the day after these offences took place, following a quick and thorough investigation carried out by detectives from the Local Crime Unit.

“We take burglary extremely seriously and will not tolerate this type of behaviour in Dacorum.

“Anyone committing these types of offences can be assured that we will arrest them and they will face justice.”

Call 101 with the reference D1/14/5995 with information.

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