Family devastated by £25,000 jewellery raid

A RECENT widower has been left devastated after burglars broke into his home and stole around £25,000 of his late wife's jewellery.

Terry Picton was just coming to terms with the death of his wife Judith, who lost her battle with cancer in March.

But the 69-year-old's his life has been torn apart again after last Thursday's break-in.

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One of the items stolen was a heart-shaped citrine ring surrounded by diamonds that Terry planned to give Judith when the couple renewed their marriage vows. Tragically she died before the arrangements could be made. Terry went away for a short break on Thursday and returned on Monday to discover the shocking robbery. The thieves had taken a safe full of jewellery hidden in a wardrobe. It was reported by builders who arrived at the house on Friday to find the front door jemmied.

Mrs Picton's daughter Caroline Peek, of Andover, Hants, said: "It's not the value that matters. It is all we have left of my mother. She loved her jewellery and it is very much part of her.

"It is like someone has stolen my mother. I had been coping quite well up to this point but now I know she has really gone. There is nothing left. As for her husband, he is beside himself. How can anyone be so callous? Whatever their motive was it cold and cruel and caused the family deep upset."

Judith was a well known and popular figure in the town, working on the seafront putting green for the last two years of her life.

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Also stolen was a pair of diamond hooped earrings left to Mrs Peek's three-year-old daughter to be given to her on her 18th birthday.

Mrs Peek added: "All she'll have now is a picture and I hope a memory of nana's beach."

Anyone with information on who is responsible or the whereabouts of the item is asked to call Bexhill Police on 0845 60 70 999.

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