A HOODED burglar disturbed a 93-year-old widow in her sleep but carried on stuffing his pockets with thousands of pounds worth of her jewellery.

Her son described the culprit, who raided his mum’s home off Upton Lane, Upton, Chester, between 9pm and 9.30pm on February 12, as ‘very callous’.

His mother, who was in bed, had tried to prick the man’s conscience by talking to him about his own family and reminding him she was ‘an old lady’ but he ignored her and didn’t say a word.

“I think she was probably very confused about what was going on,” said the relative, who added that his mum, who turns 94 next month, had been woken up.

The son believes the jewellery could be worth about £5,000 and includes items of sentimental value, such as trinkets and a gold watch given to her as a 21st birthday gift by her parents.

Fortunately, his mum had been unhurt but had been left unnerved and upset at the loss of her jewellery.

The burglar, who scaled a gate more than 6ft high, even ripped out a telephone cable in the bedroom so she couldn’t reach help through an emergency lifeline.

However, she had phoned her son, who lives five minutes away, and he had driven round immediately.

The crook had gained entry by forcing a rear patio door.

DC Vicki Lee of Chester CID said: “This is a particularly despicable crime. Clearly the offender has no regard for the fragility and vulnerability of this elderly lady when he broke into her home and stole possessions that were very dear to her.

“Thankfully, the victim in this case is recovering from her ordeal with the support of her family and ourselves.”

The offender is described as white with a pale complexion, aged between 30 and 40, about 5ft 10in tall, with short, thick, dark hair. He was wearing a black raincoat.

Anyone with information should call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting incident number 906 of February 12, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.