Thieves have burgled the home of a Stourbridge woman while she was at Russells Hall Hospital to be at the side of her husband as he died.

The 63-year-old returned to her home in Oldswinford hours after her husband passed away to find her house had been ransacked.

Jewellery, cash, an iPad, iPhone and a digital camera which contained irreplaceable family photographs were stolen.

Police have released an image of a man they wish to speak to in connection with the break-in, which happened between 10:00am last Wednesday and 1:15am on Thursday.

Detective Constable Shelley Punshon said: “I can’t even begin to understand how painful it must be to return home to a burglary just hours after the death of your husband.

“We’re committed to bringing the people responsible for this crime to justice and are keen to hear from anyone who may be able to assist with this investigation.

“If you were in the area, or you recognise the person in the image and haven’t yet spoken to us, please get in touch with me and my team.

“Someone is going to know who did this, but they may not know the full circumstances of what the home owner was going through. I’d urge them to do search their conscience and do the right thing.”

The woman, who has asked to remain anonymous, said: “After a seven month battle with cancer I said goodbye to my husband, the man I love so much.

“To find our home broken into, a home that we had built together, there are just no words.

“I haven’t been able to grieve for my husband. I’ve not only lost him, but I’ve lost so much of ’us’ in everything they’ve taken.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101.