A DISABLED man has spoken of his upset after tokens of love exchanged between him and the wife who later tried to kill him were stolen.

Wheelchair user Stewart Houston, who requires round-the-clock support, is distraught at the loss of the diamond and emerald jewellery.

The 56-year-old almost died after his wife, Christine, tried to strangle him with a cravat at their home in Fenton Close, Waldridge, Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

Although 66-year-old former pharmacist Mrs Houston is detained indefinitely in a secure hospital after admitting attempted murder, the couple are still together and in love.

The items taken include the couple’s engagements rings, a necklace and earrings, which are worth around £4,000 in monetary terms, but priceles in their sentimental value.

Mr Houston, who has suffered from muscular dystrophy for 40 years, said: “The jewellery is symbolic of our wedding day and our marriage vows.

“We are very upset about it and this is very emotional for us both. We feel devastated that someone has taken something so precious. They have stolen the preciousness that goes with it.”

The Houstons have been married for almost 30 years after meeting through the Christian Friendship Fellowship in the early 1980s.

It was decided Mrs Houston needed help to care for her husband after her mental health deteriorated and she developed bipolar disorder resulting in depressive episodes, psychotic episodes and obsessive thoughts.

Extensive searches for the jewellery have been unsuccessful, and Mr Houston does not believe it has been misplaced.

Mr Houston said: “For anyone to act in such an uncaring way is very callous. It is a violation of all good principles and ideals of decency. It is an underhand thing to have done.”

Mrs Houston has been held in secure accommodation following an incident in May 2012 when she tried to kill her husband, but was disturbed by the arrival of a Sainsbury’s delivery driver.

Mr Houston, who did not support his wife’s prosecution, has been reliant on the support of carers ever since.

The jewellery was last seen on Christmas Day 2012, but the following month Mr Houston noticed it was missing from a drawer in his bedroom.

He is now appealing to anyone who has the gems to return them to the family.

He said: “We would like to have some of the preciousness back. Christine was so upset when I told her. Her face was ashen and getting it back would mean I could put that day behind me.

“It would restore my faith in humanity and it would be part of the healing process.”

Inspector Karen Naunton, of Durham Constabulary, said: “We are currently looking into the report of the missing jewellery and would welcome any information that would help us get it back to the Houston family.”

People with information can call the non-emergency number 101.