Rings and cash stolen in despicable burglary

The incident took place in River Close on Tuesday June 4 at about 1pm.

A man knocked on the door of the woman’s house and told her he was ‘from the council’ and had to look in her back garden.

Wary of the caller the woman, who is only partially sighted, refused to let him come through the house and instead opened a side gate to let him into the garden.

But when she went into the house to call a neighbour to come round either the man or an accomplice slipped into the front room and stole a handbag containing £150 cash and then took the jewellery , which included the engagement ring and sapphire and ruby anniversary rings given to the woman by her late husband, from a bedroom.

To add further distress to the 88-year-old victim, the incident took place the day before the anniversary of her wedding to her husband who passed away 19 years ago.

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “I am absolutely devastated, the money has gone but it’s the rings I am the most upset about.

“I am a sitting duck here, I had no chance against them I just hope they get caught.

“My family, friends and neighbours have all been lovely - that sort of thing really restores your faith in humanity.”

The victim’s son said he thinks his mother’s house was targeted because it has a support rail outside and markings to help her find her front door and it is obvious an elderly or vulnerable person lives there.

He said: “It was an absolutely despicable act. It seems to have aged my mother by ten years.”

The man is about 5ft 10ins, smartly dressed with dark skin and dark or black hair and an unrecognizable accent.

Anyone with information can call Det Con Gavin Hampton on 684184 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.