ianstone
10-01-2010, 04:15 AM
Burglar rips wedding ring off widow, 85
http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/std/siteimages/eveningstandard/columnists/benedict.moore.bridger.gif Benedict Moore-Bridger (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-home/columnistarchive/Benedict%20Moore-Bridger-columnist-1404-archive.do)
30.09.10
http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/pix/2010/09/Violet-Hale415.jpg Bruised: Violet Hale was hit in the face
A widow has described how a burglar ripped the rings off her fingers after forcing his way into her home and hitting her in the face.
Violet Hale, 85, was robbed of her wedding band, engagement ring and diamond-encrusted eternity ring which she had worn on her left hand for more than 50 years of marriage to her late husband William.
Mrs Hale's assailant, who barged into her home in Bethnal Green (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/related-2170-bethnal-green.do) last Friday after demanding money, also tried to steal her mother-in-law's wedding ring.
"He slapped me in the face, ripped the emergency cord off my neck and knocked me to the settee. He went into the bedroom and had a look in my jewellery box," she said.
The box was later found on the floor of the bedroom.
After the attack, Mrs Hale managed to crawl on the floor into the communal hall at her home in Swanfield Street and alert neighbours who called police.
Her niece, Deanne Buchanan, said: "I'm furious that someone would do this and take her jewellery. She has bruising on her fingers and face and it's very upsetting."
Mrs Hale, who also suffered shock after the robbery, is distraught over losing the reminders of a long and happy marriage.
She said: "I was quite surprised when my husband gave me the eternity ring, it has big diamonds and he gave it to me after we'd been married about two or three years."
Police want to hear from anyone who may have spotted the dark-skinned robber, who was dressed in a checked coat and wore a baseball cap with a peak which was possibly green.
Detective Constable Edwina McAllister, of the Met Police, said: "This was a despicable crime on an elderly lady. I appeal to all sections of the community to provide information about the person responsible."
It is not the first time that Mrs Hale has been targeted by criminals - two years ago a thief stole a bank book and cash from her.
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http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/std/siteimages/eveningstandard/columnists/benedict.moore.bridger.gif Benedict Moore-Bridger (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-home/columnistarchive/Benedict%20Moore-Bridger-columnist-1404-archive.do)
30.09.10
http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/pix/2010/09/Violet-Hale415.jpg Bruised: Violet Hale was hit in the face
A widow has described how a burglar ripped the rings off her fingers after forcing his way into her home and hitting her in the face.
Violet Hale, 85, was robbed of her wedding band, engagement ring and diamond-encrusted eternity ring which she had worn on her left hand for more than 50 years of marriage to her late husband William.
Mrs Hale's assailant, who barged into her home in Bethnal Green (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/related-2170-bethnal-green.do) last Friday after demanding money, also tried to steal her mother-in-law's wedding ring.
"He slapped me in the face, ripped the emergency cord off my neck and knocked me to the settee. He went into the bedroom and had a look in my jewellery box," she said.
The box was later found on the floor of the bedroom.
After the attack, Mrs Hale managed to crawl on the floor into the communal hall at her home in Swanfield Street and alert neighbours who called police.
Her niece, Deanne Buchanan, said: "I'm furious that someone would do this and take her jewellery. She has bruising on her fingers and face and it's very upsetting."
Mrs Hale, who also suffered shock after the robbery, is distraught over losing the reminders of a long and happy marriage.
She said: "I was quite surprised when my husband gave me the eternity ring, it has big diamonds and he gave it to me after we'd been married about two or three years."
Police want to hear from anyone who may have spotted the dark-skinned robber, who was dressed in a checked coat and wore a baseball cap with a peak which was possibly green.
Detective Constable Edwina McAllister, of the Met Police, said: "This was a despicable crime on an elderly lady. I appeal to all sections of the community to provide information about the person responsible."
It is not the first time that Mrs Hale has been targeted by criminals - two years ago a thief stole a bank book and cash from her.
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