Police have found a missing motorbike nearly a year after it was stolen -- in their own backyard.

Embarrassed officers owned up last week that the bike had been lying in their impound yard since the night it was stolen last April.

But officers called owner Pat Pomeroy two months after the bike was taken to tell him it still had not turned up -- and he heard nothing else until last week.

Now chartered accountant Mr. Pomeroy is counting the cost of a year in the open for his battered bike and plans to ask for compensation.

He said: "They were quite efficient -- they got it back 400 yards from where it was stolen -- but I think the follow-through leaves something to be desired.'' He admitted: "I have seen the funny side of it.'' But he added his old bike was not insured for theft and he had to buy a new machine.

He said: "It's the principle of the thing. Somebody's made a mistake and I think I deserve some compensation.'' Mr. Pomeroy visited his Yamaha bike at the Prospect yard -- but found it in far worse condition than it was when it was taken.

He said: "I appreciate the damage done to the ignition system was done by the thief who hot-wired it.

"But it was quite rusted and I couldn't start it, so I don't know what state the engine's in.'' Now the bike is in the hands of a Yamaha dealer for an estimate on how much it will cost to put right. A Police spokesman said the Police Service was aware of Mr. Pomeroy's problem and they were looking into it.

He added there was an official complaints procedure available for Mr. Pomeroy to file his claim.

The cycle was stolen from outside the Mariners Club in Richmond Road, Pembroke.

Mr. Pomeroy reported the theft the next morning after he turned up to collect it.

But the thief had only got as far as the junction with Woodbourne Avenue before it ran out of gas and he abandoned it.

Officers are believed to have picked it up that night, taken it to their compound -- and left it.

CRIME CRM