Jail for man who received diplomat's jewels

British High Commissioner George Fergusson and his wife Margaret at Homewood, their official residence in Wellington. Picture / Mark Mitchell

A man convicted of receiving expensive heirloom jewellery stolen from the British High Commissioner's Wellington home was today jailed for a year.

Brendon McMichael, 31, of Petone, originally faced two counts of burglary and two of receiving property, knowing it to be stolen.

In Wellington District Court last month he pleaded guilty to the receiving charges and the burglary charges were withdrawn by police.

Police returned the jewels, said to be worth tens of thousands of dollars, to George Fergusson and his wife Margaret in July.

Mr Fergusson is the son of the late Sir Bernard Fergusson, Governor-General from 1962 to 1967, and Laura, Lady Fergusson. His grandfather, Sir Charles Fergusson, was Governor-General from 1924 to 1929.

Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, brooches and a diamond and gold tiara were returned.

Some of the jewellery was handed in at Lower Hutt police station and the tiara was recovered from a service cupboard in The Quest on The Terrace hotel, it was reported at the time.

The couple said they were "thrilled" to have them returned.

- NZPA, NZHERALD STAFF