Heirloom lost in Morrisons ‘probably sold for drug cash’

WHEN Lady Somerleyton lost a valuable family heirloom during a trip to Morrisons she hoped a fellow shopper might have the heart to hand it in.

But with 10 days having passed since the gold, diamond and emerald art deco pendant went missing, there seems slim chance of it being returned.

Indeed, store security staff say it is likely that Lady Somerleyton’s keepsake has been sold for “drug money” by one of the area’s ne’er-do-wells.

So far nobody has reported finding the pendant, which was lost after Lady Somerleyton dropped into the Lowestoft branch of Morrisons, despite a cash reward being on offer.

A security source at Morrisons said: “To be honest if it’s not been found and handed in by now it means some toerag has picked it up and is going to try and sell it on for drug money. I’m afraid we have got a bit of a problem round here. Obviously that’s upsetting for Lady S, but that’s the way it is now.”

The supermarket is a 20-minute drive from the family seat of Lady Somerleyton’s husband, Hugh Crossley, 4th Baron Somerleyton. There was sympathy for Lady Somerleyton from shoppers there, although some wondered quite why she would risk wearing such a valuable piece of jewellery.

Hayley Meades, 33, said: “I’m surprised she shops here. I wouldn’t want to wear an expensive bit of jewellery to the shops, though my stuff is more on the cheap side. Good luck to her getting it back. Since there’s a reward I’ll keep an eye out.”