Sidmouth holiday maker appeals for help to find missing jewellery
Picture of one of the missing rings. - Credit: Archant
Have you been offered these items? A holiday maker is trying to find her missing jewellery after a recent visit to Sidmouth.
Picture of one of the missing rings. - Credit: Archant
A pensioner’s birthday celebrations have led to an appeal to find her jewellery after a number of items were reported stolen from a hotel room during her stay in Sidmouth.
Lesley and Bryan Mercer travelled from Worthing for a weekend break in the town to celebrate her 70th birthday.
The couple stayed at the Mount Pleasant Hotel for four days and reported the items, valued at more than £1,600, missing on Saturday, October 21.
Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone who may have been offered the items for sale to come forward.
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Among the valuables taken was a nine carat curb bracelet with padlock and safety chain, 11 rings, a small gold locket and silver chain bracelet.
Mrs Mercer said: “It was a lovely trip gone wrong.
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“We have been several times, staying in different hotels, we just like it. It’s a traditional seaside town and the shops are individual which we do not get up here. Everyone has time for you. It hasn’t put us off coming back to Sidmouth, we love the place.
“I could kick myself; it was stupid thing to do to leave them in the hotel room. Whilst I take responsibility for the loss of valuables, the police are not taking it any further. We have learnt our lesson.”
A turquoise jewellery wrap the items were carried in was later discovered, as was a broken watch and engraved silver bracelet.
Mrs Mercer’s locket containing photographs of her grandparents from World War One was also handed in.
But the 70-year-old is appealing to locate a sentimental garnet ring (pictured) which was given to her by her parents for her 21st birthday.
She would also like to try and find a bracelet containing 44 garnet stones, given as a gift by her husband.
Also pictured is a silver marcasite and small opal ring which was purchased in 1963.
Hotel owners Philip and Vanda Gleave told the Herald: “This is the first such incident in our 24 years at the hotel and as such were saddened to hear that Mrs Mercer’s jewellery had gone missing.”
A police spokesman said: “Police are appealing for witnesses and would like to hear from anyone who has been offered these stolen items for sale.”
Anyone with information can call the police on 101 or email 101@dc.police.uk quoting crime reference CR/091554/17.
