£££ of Personal Belongings In the Bin. Can Anything Be Done?

[ShitBiscuits]

To cut a long story short, my sister has recently (finally) split with her controlling, psychological bully of a boyfriend.
They did not live togther but she kept belongings (clothes, shoes, cosmetics, jewellery etc) at his place.
After the split she asked if she could collect her items - he claims he has thrown all of them in the bin, the bins have been collected and that is that. FWIW my sister actually checked the bins, while he stood there laughing at her.
She estimates the cost of the items runs to nearly £1k and is devastated, there was some special jewellery from other family members that he has disposed of so is all the more hurtful.
Is this a crime? Is there anything my sister can do to recoup any costs in replacing the items? (she is not flush with cash and the boyfriend is more than comfortable).
Any help appreciated. Thanks.

PS. Not sure if relevant but the disposed of items WERE NOT gifts that he gave to her at all. These are all hers, bought and paid for.

[peskyginge]

Yes he has committed theft of those items!!

It may be hard to prove but she could call police and report the matter.

[ShitBiscuits]

Thanks Pesky. I suggested this to her but would Police just dismiss as a 'domestic' or suchlike?

[BlackeyedSusan]

depends which police force. w mids are good. south wales crap.

[twattock]

she could bring a claim for damages in the small claims court for the value of the items that were thrown away? relatively cheap and quick.

[NanooCov]

He sounds like a charmer

I'm not sure it would be treated as theft - technically I suppose the items were left in his care. That doesn't mean he had the right to do what he wanted with them/dispose of them but he might argue that because of the split he thought she had abandoned the items and didn't want them. It might come down to whether he was reasonable to assume that or not.

To be honest - as grim as he has behaved - I really don't think the police will be able to do much. She has my sympathies though.

[Collaborate]

It is theft. Look at the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977.

[ShitBiscuits]

Thank you for your replies, Collaborate I will certainly look at the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977.