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Johnny Marr Gets Stolen Guitar Back After 10 Years

Former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr has been reunited with a guitar stolen 10 years ago after a gig in September 2000.

The 1964 cherry red Gibson SG -- worth at least £30,000 -- was found in a fan's north London home after he admitted stealing it from the Scala in Kings Cross after a concert by Johnny Marr and the Healers in 2000.

Stephen White, 38, says that he is "disgusted" with himself for taking the guitar and not returning it. Highbury magistrates court heard last week that it had been a "spur of the moment decision" after White found himself backstage following the gig. The court heard how he had noticed the guitar unattended and then fled out of a fire exit.

The theft came to light following a tip off from a guitar shop in Denmark Street (popularly known as Tin Pan Alley) in London's West End where White had taken it to be repaired.

White, who had no previous convictions and was on anti-depressants at the time of the theft, was sentenced to 200 days community service.

Marr, currently on tour with his current band the Cribs in New Zealand, has been contacted about the guitar and according to police sources bears no malice towards White.

Police Constable Christopher Swain, of Camden's Beat Crimes Unit, said, "We tracked down Mr Marr through his management company and he was absolutely chuffed."

The vintage cherry red Gibson isn't the only SG in Marr's collection he also owns a blonde version that was custom made for him. Other famous SG owners are Eric Clapton, James Hetfield, Keith Richards and Angus Young.

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10 Comments

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Kyosho

I wish for once they would have and accurate story on here and was worth of crap,I am absolutely chuffed over this,hahaha

February 24 2010 at 12:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Robert

British law indicates a five year statue of limitations, there for they legally can't convict him for a crime over that time period, even community service, so his public defender must really suck or he plead a deal, glad he got caught though.

February 23 2010 at 11:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
J Trips

John Henry Tripler is also a famous owner of a 65 SG cherry red

February 23 2010 at 11:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mark

200 days of Community service for stealing a $50,000
dollar item ???
N F W !!! That's Grand Theft that dirtbag ought to be
in prison - UNbelievable - > unbelievable
white ... your 1 lucky SOB !
for 200 days they ought to make him work at Marr's house
as a personal slave for 200 days
tell him to sleep on the porch under the camera.

February 23 2010 at 10:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Erwin

"CHUFFED" means "happily surprised"

(silly yanks. . .)

February 23 2010 at 10:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
fattrucker@aol.com

$50,000 for a 64 SG? Johnny Marr? Chuffed? You didn't mention Tommi Iommi or Pete Townsend, I've never seen Keith playing an SG, he's usually playing a Telecaster. I mean really, who writes this garbage?

February 23 2010 at 10:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tyrebitre

"Stephen White, 38, says that he is "disgusted" with himself for taking the guitar and not returning it. Highbury magistrates court heard last week that it had been a "spur of the moment decision" after White found himself backstage following the gig."


What a load of bull: the thief IS full of regret - regret he got caught. HE TOOK THE DAMN STOLEN GUITAR TO BE REPAIRED ! There is no remorse shown here; nor was he contemplating returning the guitar. This is a $50,000 theft: should be good for several years of jail time.

February 23 2010 at 10:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Pedro

Sum of you british fellows are gonna have to tell me what Chuffed means?

February 23 2010 at 10:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cameron

chuffed?

February 23 2010 at 9:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tjvonb

r u nuts

February 23 2010 at 9:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply