A SEVERELY disabled Kingsbridge resident has had her most treasured possessions stolen in a heartless crime that has left her ‘devastated’.

A ladies holdall, described as possibly a Jane Shilton design, in a beige colour with a long tan strap and tan zip, went missing at some point between July 20 and September 2. Inside was an antique jewellery box containing sentimental and priceless pieces.

The 78-year-old woman, who lives with her daughter in the centre of Kingsbridge, had been left immobile and unable to read, write or talk after a stroke. The jewellery was the one thing she could touch and use as a trigger for her memory.

It was taken from the house with no sign of a break-in, while the woman’s daughter was concentrating on her own daughter who was very ill in hospital. The elderly resident is described as ‘so distressed’ after the ‘appalling’ crime, that her family are offering ‘immunity’ to anyone who returns the holdall and some – or all – of the contents.

Among the items taken were some highly recognisable pieces. One was a large emerald and diamond cluster ring, another a gentleman’s signet ring in the initials RLO, there was also a circular pearl broach, an amber necklace belonging to her mother, gold drop earrings ending in a teardrop diamond and lots of gold chains, bracelets and rings.

For more on this story, see this week’s Kingsbridge & Salcombe Gazette