Grieving Oxton man devastated after burglars steal late mum’s jewellery

Jan 11 2012 by Helen Hunt, Liverpool Echo

A GRIEVING son returned home to discover burglars had stolen his late mum’s jewellery on the anniversary of her funeral.

Russell Baker went on a rare night out after spending the past year mourning his mum Pam McAteer’s death and sorting out her affairs.

But when he returned home, he discovered that his house in Fairview Road, Oxton, ransacked and jewellery belonging to his family gone.

Among the haul of gold jewellery taken were two of his late mum’s rings, his grandmother’s rings and his grandfather’s watch.

Today he branded the culprits “vermin” and said the items, which are thought to be worth thousands of pounds, were “priceless” to him.

Mr Baker, 43, an IT and media specialist, said: “I am absolutely heartbroken and devastated. These items are priceless. The sovereign necklace which was taken was the last physical link to my mum I had left. It was absolutely horrific.

“I just think they are vermin. The one time I went out was on the anniversary of my mother’s funeral.

“I just think what kind of person or people would do this? My mum left the jewellery to me for safe-keeping. I just think why has this happened to me?”