The Chronicle

CALLOUS THIEVES TOOK MY MOTHER’S ASHES

- Tara Miko tara.miko@thechronic­le.com.au

NEWTOWN man Clive Knowles-Jackson is calling on the thieves who ransacked his home to return something that means nothing to them, but everything to him - his mother’s ashes.

A NEWTOWN man is calling on the callous thieves who ransacked his home and stole his mother’s ashes to do the right thing.

Clive Knowles-Jackson returned to his Newtown home on Sunday morning to find it trashed after thieves raided virtually every room and cupboard for valuables.

A quantity of expensive top-shelf alcohol, along with jewellery and family heirlooms with sentimenta­l value was stolen during the break and enter - the first in the more than three decades he’s lived at the property.

The items were listed with his insurance provider, but it was his mother’s ashes stored in his bedroom wardrobe he was most anxious to get back.

Susan Knowles-Jackson, 99, died in England last October, with her son intending to inter her ashes in a memorial garden at his home.

But a frantic lifestyle has delayed his plans, and now, unless the ashes are returned, impossible.

“I want to appeal to the better nature of the people who broke in,” Mr Knowles-Jackson said.

“They may not have realised what they were taking at the time. I’m hoping someone might see it and hand it in.”

He described the urn as about 30cm tall, weighing about 2kg-3kg, with a floral autumn woodland scene in yellow and orange colour. The top was sealed to allow him to bring it home from England. The outer container was about the same height and shape of a Glenfiddic­h scotch cannister.

Mr Knowles-Jackson wants the ashes returned in order to see his mother rest peacefully in his garden.

The ashes can be handed in to police or The Chronicle office, or informatio­n annonymous­ly given to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

❝ I want to appeal to the better nature of the people who broke in. — Clive Knowles-Jackson

 ?? PHOTO: TARA MIKO ?? BRING HER HOME: Newtown resident Clive Knowles-Jackson want his mother’s ashes returned.
PHOTO: TARA MIKO BRING HER HOME: Newtown resident Clive Knowles-Jackson want his mother’s ashes returned.
 ?? PHOTO: TARA MIKO ?? EMOTIONAL PLEA: Newtown resident Clive Knowles-Jackson is appealing for the thieves who stole the ashes of his mum, Susan (inset), to return them.
PHOTO: TARA MIKO EMOTIONAL PLEA: Newtown resident Clive Knowles-Jackson is appealing for the thieves who stole the ashes of his mum, Susan (inset), to return them.

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