A pensioner bravely faced a heartless burglar in court and told him about the impact the theft of her father's War medals and precious jewellery had on her. A retired professor, the courageous 74-year-old took her neighbour along for support as she spoke at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday (February 7) about the burglary at her home in Valley Road, West Bridgford.
Convicted burglar Dean Holm, 33, of no fixed address, broke in between New Year's Eve last year and January 3 this year after she had been to visit friends. The victim discovered the break-in on her return, finding Holm had smashed a glass panel in her living room door and ransacked her living room and master bedroom.
The treasured items Holm stole included jewellery, a Rolex watch she inherited from her mother-in-law, watches, and her late mother's gold locket and chain, a gold engagement ring, gold rings, and Royal Navy medals awarded to her father. During the court hearing in which Holm was jailed for three years for the burglary, the victim, who lives alone, said: "I believe a silver necklace with a pendant was stolen which was a gift from my son, a gold ring with a gold criss-cross pattern."
