A mum has described going into shock after waking up to find her front door "wide open" and her car stolen by burglars.

Ann Dukes, 57, of Coggeshall Road, Braintree, was asleep upstairs when thieves broke open her front door and raided the downstairs for her son’s iPad, her handbag and a sat-nav before driving off in her silver Kia Picanto.

The heartless culprits also took a watch her father had given her and her late mother’s wedding
ring in the raid on July 12, in which a total of £12,000 worth of items were taken.

In a frightening twist, Ann discovered a steak knife had been removed from its block and left on the kitchen table.


Call PC Red Leeson at Braintree CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.