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Australian police x-ray Briton suspected of swallowing stolen diamond Australian police x-ray Briton suspected of swallowing stolen diamond
(about 4 hours later)
Australian police searching for a stolen diamond worth more than £100,000 have x-rayed a British tourist suspected of swallowing it.Australian police searching for a stolen diamond worth more than £100,000 have x-rayed a British tourist suspected of swallowing it.
The rare pink stone was taken from a jewellery store in Cairns last weekend by a man who escaped on a bicycle.The rare pink stone was taken from a jewellery store in Cairns last weekend by a man who escaped on a bicycle.
Police arrested 29-year-old Matthew Osborne as he attempted to a board a flight to New Zealand from an airport in Melbourne.Police arrested 29-year-old Matthew Osborne as he attempted to a board a flight to New Zealand from an airport in Melbourne.
Senior Sergeant Greg Giles told Australian Broadcasting Corporation that officer have yet to recover the cut diamond and suspected the Briton had swallowed it. The x-rays, however, proved inconclusive. Senior Sergeant Greg Giles told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that officers have yet to recover the cut diamond and suspected the Briton had swallowed it. The x-rays, however, proved inconclusive.
Osborne will be transferred from Melbourne to Cairns on Saturday charged with theft, the Associated Press said.Osborne will be transferred from Melbourne to Cairns on Saturday charged with theft, the Associated Press said.
The diamond's owner, Keith Bird, said police told him the man had admitted stealing the gem and swallowed it as he prepared to board the flight to New Zealand.The diamond's owner, Keith Bird, said police told him the man had admitted stealing the gem and swallowed it as he prepared to board the flight to New Zealand.
He said Western Australia state police had the Osborne's fingerprints, recorded for a traffic offence. He said Western Australia state police had Osborne's fingerprints, recorded for a traffic offence.
But Bird said he doubted that the gem was inside Osborne.But Bird said he doubted that the gem was inside Osborne.
"If he thought he'd got away with it, why would you sit at the Melbourne airport and swallow it, and if you have to go to the loo on a flight to New Zealand? That would be a bit dangerous," said the owner of the Diamond Gallery in Cairns."If he thought he'd got away with it, why would you sit at the Melbourne airport and swallow it, and if you have to go to the loo on a flight to New Zealand? That would be a bit dangerous," said the owner of the Diamond Gallery in Cairns.
The diamond is only 0.31 carat with a diameter of 4.3mm, but its high value is down to its colour. Queensland police said investigations into the theft were continuing.The diamond is only 0.31 carat with a diameter of 4.3mm, but its high value is down to its colour. Queensland police said investigations into the theft were continuing.
"Detectives will escort the man back to Cairns later today," said a spokesman. "He is expected to appear in the cairns magistrates' court tomorrow charged with entering premises and stealing property of a value greater than AU$5,000 [£2,700].""Detectives will escort the man back to Cairns later today," said a spokesman. "He is expected to appear in the cairns magistrates' court tomorrow charged with entering premises and stealing property of a value greater than AU$5,000 [£2,700]."
Bird told the Brisbane Times that his chances of seeing the "rare as hen's teeth" diamond again are no "better than 50%".Bird told the Brisbane Times that his chances of seeing the "rare as hen's teeth" diamond again are no "better than 50%".
He told the newspaper: "We had a lady in tears a few days ago because she said she'd always wanted to buy the stone.He told the newspaper: "We had a lady in tears a few days ago because she said she'd always wanted to buy the stone.
He also told reporters that the gem had been on display in the store for nine years.He also told reporters that the gem had been on display in the store for nine years.
A spokesman for the British Foreign Office said: "We are aware of reports that a British national was arrested at Melbourne airport on Thursday.A spokesman for the British Foreign Office said: "We are aware of reports that a British national was arrested at Melbourne airport on Thursday.
"We have been in contact with the local authorities and offered to provide consular assistance.""We have been in contact with the local authorities and offered to provide consular assistance."