Thousands of pounds worth of treasured war medals and jewellery handed down through generations have been stolen from a Moray home.
Despicable thieves ransacked 84-year-old Joan Holding’s Sheriffston house on the outskirts of Elgin as they frantically searched for valuables.
Drawers were pulled open in every room as the crooks scoured the home for items of value to plunder.
Police in Moray have issued a warning to residents to be on their guard following a series of thefts in the region.
And Mrs Holding has pleaded for the raiders to return the items that have huge sentimental value to her.
The widow said: “All the drawers had been pulled open. They didn’t take computers or anything like that. It was just valuables they were interested in.
“The jewellery was the most expensive things they took. My husband had a Rolex oyster watch. When the police came they looked up the value of it and some of them go for £4,000 now.
“They took my gold ring, which was quite distinctive. It had hair plaited and interwoven round it. It’s been in my family since the 1800s.”
The heartless crooks pocketed medals from one of the drawers in Mrs Holding’s house, where she has stayed since the 1950s.
Among the treasured mementos were her late-husband, David Holding’s, commendations for distinguished service in the Royal Navy during World War II as well as her father’s farming awards.
Her uncle’s prize for being named as the dux at Fordyce Academy in the late 19th century was also taken.
Yesterday the retired bookkeeper, who is originally from Ballindalloch, described how heartbroken she was when she saw the doors to her conservatory had been forced open.
She said: “I had been out in Elgin and the doors caught my eye. They were slightly ajar. Initially I thought the wind had perhaps swung them open but when I got closer I saw the mess inside.
“They had been everywhere in the house – just looking for whatever they could find. It was quite shocking. All the drawers were emptied and tipped on the floor.”
The thieves broke into Mrs Holding’s home in the afternoon or evening on Wednesday, February 22.
The break-in came following intruders at homes in Dufftown, Kinloss and Findhorn earlier in the week.
Police have warned residents to be on their guard and report anything suspicious.
Detective Inspector Norman Stevenson described the incidents as “despicable”.
He said: “A huge amount of proactive work is carried out on a daily basis under Operation Magpie to prevent acquisitive crime and, when the worst does happen, to identify and bring offenders to court.
“The public can play a crucial role in helping us do this by ensuring their homes, vehicles, garages and sheds are locked and secure in the first place to not give thieves a chance.
“In many cases the perpetrators are simply trying doors until they find one unlocked.”
Anyone with information about the thefts should contact police by phoning 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
