A bride-to-be has been left devastated after callous thieves stole century-old priceless jewellery that belonged her late grandmother – just weeks before her big day.
Helen Newhouse, 25, wanted to wear a precious ring passed down from her gran Jean Bedell when she weds fiance Steve O’Conner, 27, in October.
Mrs Bedell died more than 30 years ago before Helen was born and the mum-of-two had been due to wear the treasured family heirloom at her wedding.
Helen was given the ring as part of a treasured charm bracelet containing her grandmother’s eternity ring and other unique items.
The office assistant had also hoped to wear a 100-year-old silver and blue bracelet and earring set which belonged to her other grandmother as her ‘something blue’.
But the bride-to-be was left heartbroken after cruel thieves broke into her parents’ home in Elvaston, Derbys., stealing a floor safe containing all of the sentimental jewellery.
Helen, who lives in Aston-on-Trent, Derbys., with Steve and their two children Alfie, four, and one-year-old Maisie, said: “The charm bracelet had loads of things my grandmother had collected on it like the wedding ring, an eternity ring and a little gold rum with an American flag on it.
“My grandmother had handed it down to my mum, who gave it to me about a year ago.
“I thought it was a lovely idea to have both my grandmothers there in spirit by wearing their jewellery.
“I told Steve and he thought it was a great idea. We have been together for six years and engaged for four so we were really looking forward to celebrating the day.
“We all thought it was a really special idea for me to have my grandmother’s wedding ring, which is on my mother’s side, as my grandparents are no longer with us but they had a very long happy marriage.
“Now, just eight weeks before the wedding when we are getting excited and finishing off last minute details, to have something like this happen is devastating.
“Another set of jewellery taken was the blue and white earring and bracelet set I had inherited from my grandmother on my father’s side which I was also going to wear on my wedding day and pass on to my own daughter Maisie.”
The break-in, which took place between 11am and 3.45pm on August 22, happened when Helen’s parents Stephen and Jane Newhouse had been out to lunch.
When they returned home, they were shocked to discover their home had been ransacked, with the raiders forcing open conservatory doors to gain entry before searching the house and finding the safe.
Stephen, 72, a retired motor industry worker, added: “It has just taken the shine off Helen’s big day for us a little.
“It is not even the monetary value of what they have taken but the huge sentimental value it means to us as a family.
“Some of these items have been in our family since the 1930s so have been with us for more than 80 years and the wedding ring had been left specifically for Helen which she was so looking forward to having as her own wedding ring.
“It is just so sad and disappointing.”
A spokesperson for Derbyshire Police said: “Given the sentimental value to the victims of what has been taken, this is a particularly cruel offence.
“But as the break-in happened during day hours we are hoping that someone in the Elvaston area may have seen either suspicious activity or perhaps an unfamiliar car parked up between 11am and 3.45pm on Monday close to the property that was targeted.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Derbyshire police on 101 quoting reference 16000246366.
