A frail pensioner robbed of the cash he was saving to help his family pay for his funeral said last night: “I don’t feel safe in my home any more.”
John Jordan, 83, who has heart failure and lung disease, was hooked up to an oxygen machine and sleeping when the callous raiders broke in.
The great-grandad woke up to find his window had been forced open and the £1,500 he had painstakingly saved to spare his family the burden of his funeral costs was gone.
The burglars had also taken the retired painter and decorator’s CCTV camera to cover their tracks.
Heartbroken John told the Sunday People : “I just don’t want to be in this house any more. I don’t feel safe and this makes me angry.
“I struggle to sleep at night worrying they will come back. I should not have to feel like that living in my own home. I will not be keeping money in the house any more. But I will never have that type of money again.
“It took me a really long time to save and I felt at ease knowing I had that money there because it really would have helped my family when I am gone.
“My family now have to help with everything.”
His granddaughter Chloe-Ann Preedy, 20, added: “He is very upset. This is an old, frail man and he’s been hugely affected by this. It has really hit him hard.
“What they have done is absolutely disgusting. They are the lowest of the low. He is particularly upset as he hoped to save the money for his funeral and to help the family.
“He is just old-fashioned like that. He is very selfless and is the most generous man.”
John lives mostly in his living room because of his health conditions and his daughter, Jeanette Preedy, visits him up to five times a day in Milton Keynes, Bucks. After waking up and realising he had been robbed, the partially-sighted pensioner called the police, then Jeanette.
Chloe-Ann went on: “My mum hasn’t slept well since, being worried about him. All my mum and dad want to do is help my grandad.
“Police think there was more than one person because the window – which grandad usually leaves slightly open to help with his breathing – was open completely and the back door was open.
“When he went to sleep, everything was locked – so someone must have climbed in through the window and opened the back door for the other one or two.
“They’ve then sneaked past my grandad, taken the money and left through the front door. On the way out, they snatched the CCTV camera and threw it on the ground outside. Police found it but the footage obviously isn’t there.”
John, who is also hard of hearing, had been keeping the money in his wallet at home because he struggles to use the bank.
Chloe-Ann, who works as a carer, said: “He helps his neighbours a lot, so he likes to have cash at hand.
“He gave a family nearby money when they were struggling to provide for their son. This is just how my granddad likes to be. He has the kindest soul and will go out of his way for everyone.” She added of John’s ordeal: “He is usually so strong but he is so upset now.
“He actually doesn’t want to live there any more. He’s been there for at least 15 years and it’s been his haven – but he doesn’t feel safe now.
“It is not a nice time at the moment. We as a family are not sleeping properly.”
Thames Valley Police confirmed that officers had attended John’s address on March 23.
They said the burglary was believed to have taken place some time between midnight and 3.30am.
A force spokesman added: “Investigations are ongoing.”
John’s family have since started a crowdfunding appeal in a bid to replace his stolen cash.
You can donate to the appeal here.
Chloe-Ann said: “We are very grateful to those who have helped out so far. We’d love to be able to show grandad that people do care.
“We appreciate all of your support and we would like to say a big thank-you to everyone who has shared our posts and donated.”
- Anyone with information should call 101 and ask for Thames Valley Police. The crime reference number is 43220125620
