Heartbreak as thieves take cash and ring in shop
APARTIALLY sighted pensioner has been left heartbroken after thieves stole his late wife’s wedding ring.
The callous raiders also made off with almost £1,000 of Phillip Godfrey’s pension money, after repeatedly bumping into him at a supermarket.
The 87-year-old widower visited Marks & Spencer in Chapel Street, in Southport Town Centre at about 10.30am on Thursday, June 28.
He said that he was repeatedly bumped into in the food hall and suspects that was when the black leather wallet was taken.
The father-of-four was carrying almost £1,000 in cash as it was money he had saved from his pension and planned to put into the bank to pay bills.
Phillip, who lives in Birkdale, was “shaken” by the incident as his wallet contained a wedding ring belonging to his late wife, Glynys, in the zip compartment.
Phillip and Glynys had been married for 67 years when she passed away last year.
A photograph of the couple on the second day of their honeymoon was also in the wallet at the time of the incident, and he hasn’t got another copy.
The former fire systems designer has carried the photograph, which may have had the date “4/3/1954” on the back, since he got married and he is devastated to have lost it.
Phillip’s son, who is also called Phillip, said: “The money is bad enough, but he doesn’t even care about that – my mum’s wedding ring and the photograph are so important to him and they’re irreplaceable.
“He has accepted the money is gone, but he is hoping that someone will bring the picture and ring back.”
The wedding ring is described as “a 2mm wide 22-carat gold plain wedding band”.
Merseyside police have confirmed that the incident was reported to them and they are appealing for information.
A spokesperson said: “We are appealing for information following reports of a theft in Southport on Thursday, 28 June.
“It was reported that sometime e between 1.45pm and 2.15pm, an n elderly man had his wallet stolen n from his pocket in Marks & Spencer, Chapel Street.
“The wallet contained a signif- icant amount of cash, his late wife’s wedding ring and a picture of them both.’’
“Inquiries have been ongoing to establish the full circumstances and locate the missing items and those responsible.”
According to his son, this isn’t the first time the pensioner has been stolen from.
He said: “Around six weeks ago now, he had his shopping bag stolen from Costa on Chapel Street.
“It had some items and his glasses inside. Now the second incident has left him worried.”
Since the theft, the 87-year-old Birkdale man has been left feeling “upset and embarrassed.”
Phillip’s son added: “My dad is trying to live on his own as normal now, he doesn’t get out very much due to mobility issues and he is partially sighted.
“We are hoping by sharing the story it will encourage people to be warier and help to prevent it happening to someone else.”
Community policing inspector, Graham Fisher, said: “The items stolen are understandably of great sentimental value to the victim and I would urge anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the shop or nearby, or who may heard something afterwards to please get in touch.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via social media or on 101 quoting incident reference 18200134302.
Alternatively, information can be reported to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.