A WELSHPOOL teenager has avoided prison after committing theft just two weeks after receiving a suspended jail sentence in the crown court. Charles Douglas John Ashley stole a security camera set up outside a remote property near Llangyniew on September 13 last year, as he was afraid he would be caught on tape. The 19-year-old committed the offence just 17 days after he receiving a six-month custodial sentence for dangerous driving. He admitted theft when he appeared at Welshpool Magistrates Court in February, and his case was sent to Mold Crown Court for sentencing on Friday, March 12. Judge David Hale said he would spare Ashley an immediate prison sentence, but revoked the original six-month term handed down in September and instead extended the suspension period.
Otto Richart Kirchner was from Saxony and Bernhart Johannes Zimpel, was a giant Prussian. Both were German soldiers and prisoners of war. Though in June 1915 the pair had escaped their detention camp in Shrewsbury and headed west toward Wales. Their escape had led to manhunt and 36 hours later they were spotted in Buttington near Welshpool by passing motorist, Dr D Rees of Caersws. Captain Rhys Williams of the Welsh Guards had been staying with Captain Gerald Dugdale when he heard the news and borrowed his host’s car and chauffeur, George Moult, to find the escaped Germans. Zimpel stood at more than six feet tall and was an imposing figure.