Home of grieving gran burgled (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Home of grieving gran burgled

3:59pm Wednesday 2nd January 2013 in News

HEARTLESS thieves stole precious personal items from the home of a grieving pensioner days after her granddaughter was killed in a Cookley crash.

Burglars ransacked the 86-year-old’s Kingswinford home before taking watches and treasured items of jewellery, just over a week after her granddaughter Samantha Jennings was killed in the smash on the A449.

The break in, on December 16, has come as a double blow to the family, which is still trying to come to terms with the death of the 26-year-old mother of two.

Samantha’s mother, Debbie Jennings, said the burglary had caused huge upset at a difficult time.

“We are all heartbroken after losing Samantha in such a sudden and tragic way and then to find that this has happened to mum just days later is very difficult to take,” she said.

“The burglars have stolen jewellery including my late father’s wedding ring and his Rolex Hunter pocket watch. Both are of great sentimental value and totally irreplaceable…we just want them returned to us.

“I would hope that those who have done this were unaware of what the family was already going through but that makes it no easier to get over.”

Samantha was a front seat passenger in a black Vauxhall Astra which left the road and hit a tree, near the Island Pool pub, in the early hours of December 8.

A petition has been set up to slash the speed limit on the busy road and has more than 300 signatures.

The break-in is being investigated by Dudley CID and detectives are urging anyone who can help them reunite the family with their lost possessions to contact them.

Detective constable Julie Woollaston said: “The Jennings family is going through a very difficult time and it would mean a lot to them if they could just see their treasured heirlooms returned.”

Anyone able to help should call 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.