Thieves loot £18,000 worth of belongings from disabled man's home (From The Northern Echo)

£18,000 haul taken in burglary at Leeholme, near Bishop Auckland

12:28pm Friday 9th November 2012 in News By Dani Webb, Chief Reporter (South Durham)

A DISABLED man has been left heartbroken after thieves ransacked his home and stole more than £18,000 worth of ornaments belonging to his late mother.

Graham Ainsley-Weighell, of Leeholme, near Bishop Auckland, had only recently put many of the valuables on proud display in his home following the death last month of his beloved mother Alwyn, 62.

But after venturing out to play cards with friends last  Friday (November 2) evening he returned to find the chain had been put on his front door and almost all his treasured possessions missing.

As well as taking valuables, the heartless thieves ripped open letters left by Mr Ainsley-Weighell’s mother for him to read after she died; stole items meant for her grave and heartlessly positioned a framed photograph of the pair on the sofa.

“When I got home and realised I couldn’t get in I thought someone has been in my home,” said the grief-stricken 44-year-old, whose severe arthritis leaves him unable to walk very far.

“I couldn’t believe what had happened. I can’t explain what it feels like to know someone has been in my house.

“I have lost my home. I will never have anything like this again. I will have to get over it and start all over again somewhere else.

“My life has changed now forever. I don’t want to live here anymore. There is nothing left for me here now.

“If I had to go through this again it would kill me. All I have now is the memories inside me.”

Items lost include Waterford Crystal fruit bowls and lamps, Venetian Romany style mirrors, Waterford Crystal elephants, a horse head and sea horses, an HP computer laptop, gold necklace and a car key.

Police are investigating the incident and anyone who has come across any of the items or who witnessed the burglary is asked to call PC Gareth Hodgson, at Bishop Auckland police station, on 101 or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 088-555-111.