Pensioner devastated after home ransacked by burglars

A DISTRAUGHT great-grandmother came home from an Easter break to find her home had been turned upside down by burglars who stole thousands of pounds’ worth of jewellery.

Patricia Sullivan, 79, is devastated as some of her precious collection of rings and necklaces belonged to her daughter, Elaine, who died of ovarian cancer. Her late husband’s wedding rings were also taken.

They also ransacked the house, taking out drawers, stamping mud everywhere and smashing the back door.

The family have now issued pictures of the mess that was made of her home in Gorse Place, Fairwater, in the hope the culprits will be caught.

They are also desperate for the jewellery to be returned.

Granddaughter Ruth Wild said: “They turned the house upside down. The jewellery was worth about £2,000 as it had been collected over 60 years.

“But it is not he monetary value, it is the sentimental value. They were given for birthdays and wedding anniversaries. My nan is particularly upset about losing the jewellery that had belonged to her daughter Elaine who died five years ago.

“This stuff is irreplaceable to my nan. No insurance money can return these items to her.

“They not only stole from her but they completely ruined the house. Smashing the back door in, turning out all her cupboards, then stamping mud all over her clothes and beds.

“It was just total disregard for a 79-year-old’s house. She worked on the house so much over the years and always prides herself on how clean it is.”

Ruth said that her grandmother had been quiet and withdrawn since the burglary.

She added: “She’s known to her great-grandchildren as Super Nanna Trisha as she is incredibly kind.

“We are all devastated that this has happened to our amazing Nanna Trish. She has recently had a knee operation and is still recovering from this. For her to walk into her house and see the state of it after the burglary is going to have a huge effect on her.

“We can tidy up the physical mess, but the emotional distress this has caused her is massive. If anybody has information please get in touch.”