This case has a detailed sequence of events relating to the theft of a car and subsequent high-value theft of a candelabra from Cyfarthfa Castle along with criminal damage, with the primary suspect identified as Tyson Wilsher.
On the evening of March 24, a delivery driver parked his silver Ford car while he briefly left it to make a delivery. Unfortunately, he left the car running with the keys still in the ignition. At some point after the theft of the car, Wilsher ended up in possession of it.
On April 8, Wilsher entered Cyfarthfa Castle during an event where local primary school children were presenting their projects to judges and guests. He talked to the receptionist at the castle, before making his way to the Crawshay Room. In a brazen act, Wilsher smashed the glass of a display cabinet using a brick and stole a candelabra with a value of around £80,000.
This caused substantial damage to both the cabinet and several items within it. Following the theft, Wilsher fled the castle, escaping in the silver Ford Fiesta which was recorded on dashcam footage from an approaching car as it sped away through the one-way entry system of the castle’s car park.
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On April 9, the owner of Sole Mate, a shoe store located in Pontmorlais, Merthyr, contacted us through our Live Chat service. He had come across our media appeal on Facebook, which included an image of the suspect wearing a baseball cap and distinctive shoes. The shop owner believed these shoes closely resembled a pair he had sold to a man just days earlier and provided a statement regarding this potential connection.
On the same day, officers found the stolen silver Ford Fiesta in the car park of Bryn Mair, Dowlais. Following its recovery, the car underwent a forensic examination. This analysis identified Tyson Wilsher as the suspect, with his fingerprints discovered within the vehicle.
Throughout the investigation, officers recovered various pieces of CCTV footage that showcased Wilsher’s movements in the Merthyr area from March 22 to April 8. This video evidence captured him buying the shoes he wore during the theft and criminal damage at Cyfarthfa Castle, as well as clothing from an Aldi store.
Tyson Wilsher, 31, from Barlestone Road, Bagworth, was sentenced on Tuesday July 15,2025 to two years eight months at Teeside Crown Court for the following.
- Theft
- Receiving stolen goods
- Criminal damage to property
Seargent Watts said: “This was a brazen theft in broad daylight, that left a group of school children shocked and upset.
Through the work of the investigation team, we were able to identify Tyson Wilsher and bring him to justice, Wilsher’s actions show he believed he was above the law and didn’t care about how his actions impacted the venue. I’m pleased to see the sentence determined by the courts.”
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