A COUPLE have revealed the heartbreaking details of a burglary at their home in a desperate bid to shed new light on the police investigation.

Almost 30 pieces of gold jewellery, worth thousands of pounds, was taken from Michael and Lorraine O’Brien’s bungalow in Spennymoor , County Durham, while they enjoyed a rare night out.

The break-in has made a difficult time for the couple even worse, as Mr O’Brien has just completed 30 doses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer.

And many of the stolen items were of huge sentimental value to Mrs O’Brien including engagement and wedding rings from her first fiancé and two late husbands, who all died young.

The couple, who are both 62-years-old, returned from a meal out in Durham on Wednesday July 18 to discover their home at King William Court had been ransacked.

When they stepped inside they saw the intruder had rifled through every drawer and cupboard in the house and strewn personal belongings across the floor.

Mr O’Brien, who was diagnosed with tongue cancer last May, said: “I lost seven-and-a-half stone with the cancer and was just starting to put a few pounds back on and feel a bit stronger when this happened, I’ve lost a stone since, it really has knocked me right back.

“It was such an invasion of our home, it makes me feel filthy, dirty. We cannot sleep and some of our neighbours are frightened now.”

To try and erase the horror of what happened, the couple have had the bungalow redecorated and replaced many of Mrs O’Brien’s clothes which had been rummaged through. They have spent more than £3,000 securing their home with metal shutters.

Mrs O’Brien said: “It is a very personal attack and heartbreaking.

“What was stolen was irreplaceable. I was engaged at 17 but he drowned saving a child, my first husband died at 27 with bowel cancer and my second at 42 with lung cancer.

“Jewellery from them and lovely stuff that Michael has bought me over 20 years together has gone.”

Police are renewing an appeal for information about the burglary, which took place between about 4.40pm and 10.30pm on July 18, and want to hear from anyone approached by someone selling items that could be stolen.

Det Sgt Warren Hawes , of Spennymoor CID, said: “I hope a fresh appeal and learning of the details encourages someone to get in touch, the burglary was very distressing for this vulnerable couple.”

Among the haul were a locket with a turquoise stone, two diamond and sapphire rings, an opal and ruby ring, an enameled Tiffany charm bracelet and diamond hoop and flower-shaped earrings.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Durham police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.