Widow, 82, is upset by jewellery theft (From Essex County Standard)

Widow, 82, is upset by jewellery theft

5:57pm Wednesday 13th June 2012 in News

AN ELDERLY widow has been left frightened and vulnerable after burglars raided her home and stole her wedding ring.

The 82-year-old, who suffers from dementia and is too scared to be named, was at the RAF Club in Witham, when her home in Pinkham Drive, Witham, was targeted between 8.30pm and midnight on Saturday.

She moved to Witham from Loughton last August to be near her daughter and had only recently gained the courage to leave the house on her own.

Her daughter, Patricia Stockdale, 57, also of Pinkham Drive, said the burglary has had a devastating impact on her mum, who has been widowed for 17 years.

Mrs Stockdale said: “We persuaded my mum to move to Witham to be closer to us. We thought she would be safer here.

“My mum has memory problems, this incident has really disorientated her.

“The club is a two-minute walk from her house, she had only just started going on her own, but since the burglary she has lost all her confidence.”

The thieves stole a gold wedding ring, which has thinned through wear, a gold, twisted chain, with a wishbone on it, a gold, four-gate bracelet and a three-diamond engagement ring given to her by her late husband 61 years ago.

The family believe the jewellery may be offered for sale in Witham and the surrounding area and are urging anyone offered the items to contact police.

Mrs Stockdale added: “The problem is because of my mother’s memory problems, we are not 100 per cent sure if anything else has been taken.

“She returned home from the club at about midnight on Saturday and noticed the house was messier than usual, so started tidying up. I think she then realised she had been burgled.

“She turned up at my house a few doors away at 1am, very frightened, and asking to stay the night.

“None of the jewellery was worth very much at all, most probably it will be sold for scrap. It is the sentimental value that is important.

“Mum says she will not leave the house again. It is heart breaking to see the impact this had on her.”

Anyone who saw anything suspicious around this time should contact Essex Police on 101.