Kind-hearted police bring back Christmas cheer to Ledbury raid victim

Police helped bring back Christmas cheer to an elderly woman whose cash for presents was stolen while she watched TV.

The West Mercia Police Community Fund has given £240 to the 92-year-old to replace the money that was taken from her following a burglary at her home in Ledbury on December 5.

She was in her lounge when she heard a noise upstairs, then saw a man run past her and realised afterwards that cash had been taken from a tin in her bedroom.

Richard Davis, 30, of Barnett Avenue, Ledbury was later arrested on suspicion of burglary and admitted sneaking into the woman's house via the back door and stealing the money.

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He pleaded guilty to burglary before Hereford Magistrates Court on January 2. Davis was released on bail and is due to appear at Worcester Crown Court for sentencing on 8 February.

Detective Sergeant Tim Dugmore from Hereford CID's burglary team said: "When this woman had her home burgled, it wasn't just the cash that Davis took from her. He also took away the simple pleasure that we all experience in the giving of presents at Christmas, as that is what the money had been intended for.

"She had no income or other means to replace the money, so we applied to the PC Fund to try and reimburse her the cash before Christmas.

"We were delighted when we were able to put the money in a Christmas card and give it to her along with a bunch of flowers, which meant that she could enjoy the festive period."

The PC Fund is a registered charity which aims to help victims of crime to alleviate the trauma and stress caused by financial hardship as a result of the crime. The charity is partly funded by contributions from police employees through payroll giving. It also receives 50 per cent of the proceeds of the sale of seized property within West Mercia, as well as voluntary donations from interested parties and various fund raising events. 

Upon receiving the money from the PC Fund, the elderly victim returned a Christmas card to the burglary team with the following written inside: "Remembering your kindness with warmth and gratitude, and for making my Christmas one I shall never forget...once more, thank you."