'Despicable' thieves steal from dead man's Winsford house (From Winsford Guardian)

'Despicable' thieves steal from dead man's Winsford house

7:00am Wednesday 13th June 2012 in News By Matthew Taylor

NEIGHBOURS of a late Winsford man whose vacant house was burgled four days before his funeral have condemned thieves as ‘despicable’ grave robbers.

Relatives arrived at the Queensway home of the late Reg Dodd on Sunday, June 3, to take care of the 63-year-old's former possessions.

But while preparing arrangements for Mr Dodd’s funeral, they were forced to call the police after finding the back door of the property had been kicked in.

Police said thieves had searched Mr Dodd’s bedroom for valuables and stolen a flat screen television.

Neighbour Charles Burrows, 69, likened the robbery to when a young student was mugged during the London riots as he lay injured on the ground.

“It’s grave robbing; the lowest of the low. It’s very, very sad,” he said.

Mr Burrows remembered his neighbour as ‘one of the characters' of Winsford, who was known in the area for his keen love of renovating old motorcycles.

He added that he thought thieves had known the house was empty.

“Certain people knew he’d passed away. To break into his house knowing it was empty and that the person who used to live there was dead is pretty low in my estimation.”

Resident Don Reid questioned what ‘scum’ would commit ‘such a despicable act’.

A Police spokesman said: "We are keen to speak to any local residents who may have seen or heard anyone behaving suspiciously in the area at the time, or who may have been offered items for sale in unusual circumstances.”

Information can be reported by dialling 101 and quoting incident 448 of June 3. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 .