Thieves burgled the home of a woman in Stourbridge as she sat with her husband whilst he passed away in Russell's Hall Hospital.

Police are appealing for information about the break-in which happened on Avon Road, Oldswinford at some point between 10am on Wednesday and 1:15am on Thursday.

The 63-year-old, who wants to stay anonymous, had been at hospital all day and night with her seriously ill husband, who passed away at around 7:30pm. She made the discovery on arriving home in the early hours.

Amongst the things taken were an iPad, a digital camera and an iPhone, all of which contained priceless photographs alongside jewellery, cash and a saxophone which was later found in the garden. Detectives are now releasing two CCTV stills taken from the area which show a young man and a van which they want to trace in connection with the burglary.

Speaking anonymously the victim 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.”

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.”

Anybody with any information is asked to contact Stourbridge Police on 101.