BURGLARS who broke into the home of a dying woman and stole cash meant for Christmas have been branded “sickening” by the victim's daughter.

Annie Davidson

BURGLARS who broke into the home of a dying woman and stole cash meant for Christmas have been branded “sickening” by the victim's daughter.

Sandra Clark found her elderly mother collapsed on the floor of her home in Galleywood, near Chelmsford, on December 12.

Doctors at Broomfield Hospital said the 72-year-old had no chance of survival and Mrs Clark kept a bedside vigil until her mother's death on December 19.

But when Miss Clark returned to her mum's house in Pyms Road on December 23 she discovered the kitchen window had been forced and £200 taken from her mother's purse, which had been thrown empty onto the lounge floor.

Miss Clark, who does not want to release her late mother's name, said she was “devastated and violated” by the break-in.

The 48-year-old, of Chelmsford, said yesterday: “The £200 was for bits and pieces over Christmas and to give as gifts.

“Mum had lived in that house for 47 years and I spent all but the first year of my childhood there but now I know these people have been in there it has violated any sort of happy memory.”

It is not known whether the house was targeted deliberately because the thieves knew the owner was in hospital or whether it was a random break-in.

Police investigating the break-in are yet to confirm when the burglary happened during the ten-day period.

Investigating officer Det Con Eva Woods appealed for anyone with information or who saw anyone acting suspiciously to contact officers on 0300 333 4444 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.