Bare-faced brazen thief stole £4,000 ring from family jeweller’s

POLICE are hunting for a thief who duped the owners of a Fife jewellery shop before making off with a £4,000 diamond ring.

The suspect went into G Masterton Jewellers on Leven High Street and told the proprietor he was looking for a birthday present.

It is thought the man pocketed the ring while staff were bringing more items for him to view.

It was only after the man left the team watched CCTV footage and saw what appeared to be the moment the 18ct gold, 0.7ct diamond eternity ring worth £4,000 vanished.

Owner Janaya Kabamba, who is the third generation to run the family business, which has been in Leven for about 100 years, said she was shocked.

She said the man entered the shop at 2.05pm on Tuesday. “After looking at some pendants, he said he wanted to buy something more expensive, so asked to look at gold chains and then rings. I reached for more items and he spent several minutes chatting and continuing to look at the items,” said Janaya

“He then delved into his pocket pulling out a handful of notes but claimed he didn’t have enough and he needed to get more money.”

The man left the shop and Janaya’s mum, who had been serving another customer, said she suspected he had put something in his pocket as he was pulling out the cash.

“It was only after we checked CCTV footage that we saw the man run his hand over the pad of rings securing one in his hand,” said Janaya. “It’s galling to think he had it in his hand all that time while pretending to be a customer.

“His brazen attitude meant he didn’t even wear a face mask but that, we hope, will lead police to him.”

Janaya said the suspect was about 5ft 7in and slim and spoke good English with an Asian accent.