Jamie Bullen

jbullen@thekmgroup.co.uk

A pensioner suffered a fatal heart attack after being told burglars broke into her home and stole valuable family items.

Dorothy Burley, 79, of St Hilda’s Way, Gravesend, had her home burgled while she stayed at her daughter’s house.

She passed away after being told of the break-in which took place on Tuesday, January 10 between 6pm and 9.22am the following day.

The mother-of-four had been staying with her daughter as her long-term partner Lawrence Burley is in hospital after suffering a heart attack before Christmas.

Thieves stole three televisions, an Xbox and games, cash, a gold chain and three braclets, one with ‘Mum’ and one with ‘Nan’ engraved on them.

Other items included a Krugerrand pendant on a gold chain, a Krugerrand ring and a silver baby’s bracelet with the name Simon engraved on it.

The pendant was given to Mrs Burley by her late husband William, who died 31 years ago. The ring was his and the silver bracelet was in memory of Mrs Burley’s great nephew, who died as a baby.

Her four children Sandra Rayfield, Rhoda Gillham, William Burley and Jackie Burley, have made an appeal to reclaim the stolen jewellery.

Sandra said: "Our mum loved her home and was very house proud and she was devastated when she found out that it had been broken into.

"She had been feeling rundown and I think the burglary was the final straw and just tipped her over the edge.

"The person who did this deserves to get caught. We wouldn’t want anyone else to go through what our mum and our family have had to go through.

"The televisions and Xbox can be replaced but the pendant, ring and bracelet have massive sentimental value. Nothing can bring mum back, but we would love to get the jewellery back as to us it is irreplaceable."

Detective Sergeant John Ralph said house-to-house enquiries had been carried out and a forensic examination of the house had taken place.

He said: "This burglary had a tragic ending and we are doing everything we can to bring the offender to justice.

"I appeal to anyone who has any information about the break-in to contact us immediately.

"Maybe you saw someone acting suspiciously in the St Hilda’s Way area on Tuesday night or you have since been offered the jewellery for sale."

Anyone with any information is asked to phone Kent Police on 101 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting crime number XY/1147/12.