Thieves steal family heirloom from nurse’s bag

Sep 16 2010 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

A NURSE has been left distressed after a heartless thief stole a family heirloom from her handbag – while she was at work.

Tina Gilbert’s purse was stolen from her bag while she was caring for patients in the oncology department at St John’s Hospital in Livingston.

And as well as cash and bank cards, the purse also contained an irreplaceable St Christopher pendant which had belonged to her dad, who died two years ago.

Now nursing sister Tina is calling on the thief to have a heart and return the piece of jewellery.

She said: “The St Christopher belonged to my dad who died two years ago and since he wore it everyday, I carry it with me all the time.

“It’s not really valuable to anybody else, but has real sentimental value to me.

“I had about £40 in cash in my purse but I’m really not bothered about the money at all, I would just like the St Christopher back.”

The theft first came to light on Monday evening after Tina left work.

She called in to a supermarket on her way home and noticed that her purse was gone.

“The purse was in my bag in my office and I only realised it was missing when I went to Morrisons to get my shopping and obviously couldn’t pay for what I wanted to buy,” said Tina.

“I went straight back to the hospital and searched my office thoroughly and asked around the other staff in case anyone had found it, but no one had.

“Someone must have taken it sometime on Monday afternoon because I know my purse was there at lunchtime.

“I’m really quite upset about it and would just ask that if anyone finds the purse or St Christopher to either hand it in to me at the hospital or give it to the police.”

Tina described her purse as small and black and the missing St Christopher as being chunky gold and around the size of a 10p piece.

A police spokesman confirmed officers are investigating the theft.

He said: “Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses after a nurse had items stolen from her handbag from St John’s Hospital, Livingston.

“Lothian and Borders Police are conducting an investigation into this crime and would appeal to anyone with information to contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131 or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.”