Heartless!

PENSIONER Mildred Blaber, 93, was left hysterical after cruel conmen tricked their way into her home and stole jewellery with huge sentimental value and £600 cash.

Priceless family heirlooms, including an amethyst engagement ring from her late husband and a ruby ring from her mother, were among the items stolen. The incident left her traumatised.

She was targeted on the same day as another pensioner had £230 stolen when a man claiming to be from the Post Office conned his way into her home in Bratton, near Westbury.

Mrs Blaber said she felt foolish after allowing the thieves into her home at Summerleaze, Trowbridge.

She said: "I don't understand how I could be such a fool.

"I was worried that if I had gone upstairs when I heard a voice they could have knocked me down the stairs."

Her son David Blaber, 59, of Westbury Leigh, Westbury, said he hated the men who left his mother in an hysterical state.

He said: "They need knee-capping or have their fingers cut off. I think they are just scum and they know they are."

Mrs Blaber said she was in the garden on Tuesday afternoon when she was approached by a man who claimed he was about to move in across the road.

After letting him in the house to look around, he asked if he could look in her garden.

Mrs Blaber said: "When he came back into the house I was talking to him and I heard a voice.

"He went out the back and said that it was his two sons that had gone to the wrong house. That was all rubbish."

It was only after the men had gone that Mrs Blaber found they had taken a wallet, which belonged to her late husband Henry, containing more than £600.

After going upstairs, she also found the conmen had gone through her belongings, taking a clutch of family heirlooms including bracelets, a gold chain, pocket watches and five rings.

She added: "Every drawer I had was gone through, they had everything out.

"They took all my jewellery and my hand-me-downs which I was supposed to give to my family, I couldn't believe it."

The first man is described as white, aged about 42, 5ft 8ins, stocky build with slightly wavy black hair. He was wearing a navy pullover.

The second man was younger and taller. He was also a stocky build and had short blonde hair. He was wearing light clothing with grey trousers.

Anyone with information should contact PC Bob Gabbott at Trowbridge police station on (01225) 763101.

The incident in Bratton happened when a man visited a pensioner claiming to be from the Post Office investigating a report of forged £10 notes in the village.

He was aged 20-30, slim, 5 ft 8ins with short fair hair.