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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Melanie Edgar-Spier & Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Couple's 'kidnapped' £250 garden ornament returned with sinister note attached

A couple whose much-loved Christmas ornament was 'kidnapped' has finally been returned to them - with a creepy note attached.

The giant nutcracker statue was nicked from a garden in Longham, Dorset, days before Christmas.

Five foot Kaiser was abducted leaving Catherine Woolrych and husband Robin angry and heartbroken, DorsetLive reports.

But he's now back - with a creepy message to his owners hinting at a repeat attack.

The note, taped to him and left outside their home, read: "Thanks for lending him to us for Christmas. Same time next year. P.S can you buy another one please - two look better."

The cheeky note hinted that their ordeal may not be over yet - and told the owners to buy Kaiser a friend (Max Willcock/BNPS)

Kaiser cost the couple £250 and is one of 23 nutcrackers the pair display in the garden every Christmas.

Catherine says pranks aren't uncommon on their road but it has left her feeling paranoid.

The 51-year-old carer said: "He was stolen on December 22. We were all at home at the time, the lights were on and the blinds were open. We were watching TV.

"I went out at midnight to feed the foxes and the badgers and Kaiser was missing.

"The strange thing was that we didn't hear or see a thing. It would have needed two men and a van to remove it.

They say pranks have been played before, but now they have been left feeling paranoid (Max Willcock/BNPS)

"We've had a few pranks played on us over the years and we were expecting a few photos of Kaiser with a bag over his head and a ransom note asking for a million pounds."

Catherine added: "But we heard nothing and I even had all our delivery drivers and lovely post lady looking out for him. They were my eyes and ears.

"Then last week my son came home from college for lunch and he called me to say that Kaiser was back.

"They put him back exactly where they'd found him- they even moved all the plant pots and made a real effort.

"We really have no idea who it was. It's left me really paranoid."

The culprit has sparked a debate online with some saying it's a bit of fun and others calling the person 'disrespectful' and 'odd'.

Some told Catherine to plant hidden cameras next year to catch Kaiser kidnapper's possible return.

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