Burglars flee with pensioner's savings

Now the family of pensioner Mary Cawley are faced with the heartbreak of telling her that a lifetime of possessions, including family heirlooms, have gone.

Mrs Cawley's son-in-law Charlie, who lives a few doors away in the Westgate area of Bradford, had gone to check on her on Friday morning when he found her lying almost unconscious on the floor, and called an ambulance. Less than 24 hours later, Mr Cawley received the shocking news that his mother-in-law's house had been turned upside down.

He said: ''This is disgraceful. She has never been burgled before in her life, but they've really messed up the house and taken everything she had.

''They must have got away with more than £1,100 - her life savings - as well as all her gold jewellery. It wasn't worth much in monetary terms, but it had all come from family members who have passed away, and it was all she had to remember them by.''

Her grandson Bernard Cawley said he feared the effect the news would have on his grandmother, whom he described as 'fiercely independent' who lives alone with her dog, Lady.

''We're trying to fix everything up now for when she comes out,'' he said.

''We went to see her the next morning but we couldn't tell her that her life savings are gone - the doctors have said her heart is very weak, and something like that would kill her.''

Detectives have taken fingerprints at the scene and are now appealing for witnesses to help them catch the burglars.

Inspector Karen Ravenscroft, of Bradford North Police, said: ''This is a very upsetting and distressing crime.

''It's very distressing for anyone who has been burgled and I can appreciate how upset the family must be that this has happened while their loved one is in hospital.

''I would appeal for anyone with any information that will help us find the people responsible for this to come forward.''

Anyone with information can contact Toller Lane Police on (01274) 376259.