Angmering burglary victim’s baby picture stolen

Single father Mervyn Parker, who has a catalogue of health problems, returned to his Palmer Road, Angmering, home to find the picture, which was in a silver frame engraved with his baby’s name, Wayne, had gone.

“I know I still have him in my heart and my memories, but the photo meant that he was still in our lives, and that we could see him every day.

“It’s the only thing I had to remember him.”

Mervyn, who suffers from Crohn’s disease, angina, asthma and bowel problems, said that Wayne had become a victim of cot death, 14 years ago.

“The photo was just the most important thing to me, it’s the one thing I have that means anything at all.”

He added that while the thieves took other things, including a laptop computer and camera, from the family home, they could be replaced.

“This is my home, and I should feel safe. But instead I feel as if someone has stamped on me.”

The framed photo could not be worth anything to anyone else, he said.

“I suppose they thought they would be able to get some money for it, because it’s silver, but it’s not an antique. To me it was worth everything.

“It’s the only thing that made me feel like he was still here. I just want it back.

“If I had the money, I would pay to get it back, I know it’s wrong, but I would. “

The burglary was taking its toll on the health of Mervyn, and his daughters, 23-year-old Lisa, his carer, and Anne-Marie, 18, who live with him.

“Especially because of the angina, stress is not good for me. I can’t sleep.

“The girls have been through a lot, we have all been through a lot. They are worried that someone has been in the house, that they might come back, and they are worried about me.

“I should be looking forward to my eldest son, Shaun, 24, coming home for Christmas, and us all spending it together, but instead we have this.”

Also stolen during the burglary, which happened between 10.45am and 1.30pm on Friday, November 26, was a quantity of Mervyn’s medication, including morph-ine and powerful painkillers.

“That’s another worry, because if they get onto the wrong hands, they can be very dangerous.”

Det Con Bob Rollins, of Arun CID, said that while all burglaries were traumatic, this one was especially distressing for the victim.

“If you saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area on Friday or have any other information about the incident, please contact us.”

Among the other items stolen were a Compaq laptop computer, an Ipod Touch, a Sony Cyber Shot camera and a selection of CDs and DVDs.

“Anyone who may have been offered these items for sale or who has information about the burglary is asked to call 0845 60 70 999 quoting serial 826 of 26/11,” added a Sussex Police spokesman.