Relief for pensioner targeted by thieves as 'stolen' photo album turns up

Colin Bennett, aged 81, was left heartbroken after bogus water board officials ransacked his home last week stealing cash and sentimental items.

However, since a police appeal a thorough search of the property has unearthed the missing wedding album in a disused wardrobe.

Items of jewellery belonging to former RAF man Mr Bennett's late wife were snatched on April 12 from a shelf at his home in Streetly where they were displayed along with the album.

Around 11am a man knocked at Mr Bennett's home and said he had been sent by the water board to carry out checks.

The pensioner allowed him inside and the suspect conducted 'inspections' in his kitchen for around 15 minutes.

However, Mr Bennett did not realise a second person must have sneaked into the property to raid the upstairs bedrooms.

However, the callous thieves appear to have had second thoughts about stealing the photos and stuffed the album into a disused upstairs wardrobe before making off.

Mr Bennett described the culprits as 'the scum of the earth'. His wife Irene passed away in June last year, aged 85.

He said: "It is not 12 months since I lost my wife. I am not holding up too well at the moment. I am usually sharp with these things.

"If people come to the door saying they are from a company, I say 'okay I'll ring them up now'.

"But on Wednesday I just went blank. I have sat there since and shed a few tears. I look at photos of my wife now and say 'I have let you down love'."

Anyone with information about the suspects, or the location of the stolen jewellery has been asked to contact DC Ed Morgan at eddie.morgan@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk.

DC Morgan said: "We are determined to get these items back to the owner. I'd urge anyone who has been offered such items for sale to come forward and tell us."

"We are also appealing for anyone who saw someone in the area matching the description to contact us."

The crime reference is 20BE/75202N/17.