Phyllis Stace, standing where the intruder was found

by Tim Collins

An elderly woman has been left devastated after crooks targeted her house for the third time, stealing sentimental family "treasures" and other valuables – including her wedding ring.

Phyllis Stace, 97, discovered an unknown man standing in the hallway of her Kennington home between 6pm and 7pm on Sunday.

Mrs Stace, who is partially sighted, believed the trespasser was a neighbour until she later discovered her bedroom had been ransacked.

The pensioner (pictured below right) said: "It's done me this time. I can stand some knocks, but this has just devastated me. It's shaken me rigid.

"He's absolutely cleared me out now, and I don't have a possession left in the world.

"I'm just so thankful that my daughter Valerie has come down to stay with me, and for the kind phone calls and visits from my neighbours."

Mrs Stace has twice previously been targeted by thieves, including a matter of weeks earlier, when two thugs smashed down the back doors of her home.

Among the items taken during the latest burglary were family mementoes handed down from her parents, including a ceremonial clay pipe believed to be around 150 years old given to her by her father.

Jewellery was also stolen, most notably her wedding ring, as well as a diamond brooch given to her as a gift by her great-grandmother.

Other sentimental items were also taken, as well as cash.

Describing the latest incident, Mrs Stace said: "I'd been to the loo, and when I came out there was a man standing in the hall. It shook me for a moment, and I asked who it was. He put a hand up, said 'thank you', and left.

"My neighbours come over to help me sometimes, so I thought it might have been one of them, but I thought it was strange that he was in my home.

"I've not been very well lately, so I filled up a hot water bottle, and went up to bed. When I got to my room, the first thing I noticed was that the wardrobe had been opened.

"I got to my bed and I realised the room had been ransacked, and bits and pieces were strewn across the floor.

"I keep two boxes of treasures, one from each of my parents, and I realised my mother’s box was probably among the things littering the floor. But most of my dad’s things were missing. It was a wicked shock.

"The biggest treasure he took was a very fragile clay pipe from dad’s days in the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, when they used to meet at the Golden Ball in Kennington."

The suspect is described as 5ft 10in, thin, aged between 25 and 30, and wearing a long coat. Anyone who saw him in the area of Canterbury Road on Sunday afternoon is urged to contact Kent Police on 101 giving reference ZY/11049/13. Alternatively, phone Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.