Former police officer praises ‘Gene’ who returned £250k violin

Mike Pannett set up late-night car park meeting to return Stephen Morris's 1709 Tecchler

A man who picked up a 250,000 violin on a train needed to be convinced that he would not be arrested before handing it back to its owner at a late-night car park rendezvous, according to the retired detective who led the negotiation.

Musician Stephen Morris was reunited with the 310-year old violin made by David Tecchler on Friday night after leaving it on a Southeastern train last month, prompting a nationwide appeal for its return.