A north woman has been left heartbroken after her late mother’s jewellery was stolen along with a treasured video recording of their last Christmas together before she died.
The family returned from a weekend break to find their home in Wick had been broken into and ransacked by heartless thieves.
Michelle Shearer, 35, revealed that her mother Jeanette Plowman’s wedding and eternity rings – which were of great sentimental value – were among the items stolen.
Also taken was Mrs Shearer’s own eternity ring, and a box of other jewellery.
Camera and video equipment was taken, along with a laptop computer and camcorder – all containing a number of treasured family photographs and videos including footage of Mrs Plowman’s last Christmas with the family before her death in January.
Two large kitchen knives were also taken from the home, as well as a set of spare car keys, although the car was left sitting in the front drive.
The value of the goods stolen has not yet been calculated.
Mrs Shearer said: “My mum only died seven weeks ago, so for this to happen is just devastating.
“It’s more the sentimental value than anything else. Her jewellery meant a lot to me and someone has just come in and lifted it.
“I feel like we’ve been completely violated.
“Taking my mum’s stuff which has so many memories for me is just a horrific thing to do.”
The family – Michelle, husband Donald, 40, and daughter Enya had been away from their home for a weekend celebrating their daughter’s fifth birthday.
Police have launched an investigation into the break-in, which is believed to have taken place between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning.
Mrs Shearer said: “I’ve been going through everything I can think of before we went away to try and think if there was anything odd.
“It seems so organised and I can’t help thinking that somebody must have been watching me as I packed the car to go away.
“We’ve been here for 10 years and it’s a nice, quiet street where everyone knows each other and there’s never any trouble.
“It’s hard to feel comfortable now that we know somebody’s been in the house.”
Police have urged anyone with information on the break-in to contact them on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.