Invergordon police probe after diamond ring reported missing
Police say enquiries are ongoing after the reported disappearance of a diamond solitaire ring from a 104-year-old care home resident in Invergordon.
Family of Hilda Williamson were left “angry and upset” after a visit to see her at Kintyre House Care Home last month when they discovered a valuable family heirloom missing from her hand.
Ms Williamson, born in 1920, had worn the ring on her wedding finger after receiving it as a gift from her partner in the late 1960s.
Son John Broadhurst believes the ring must have been removed with the use of a ring cutter due to his mother suffering from arthritis, and swelling on her knuckles.
Mr Broadhurst said: “She has arthritis in the knuckles, and consequently these are swollen making her rings impossible to be removed. The ring would have had to be cut to enable removal.
“The manager of Kintyre Care Home says she has searched my mother's room, washing machine and tumble drier. Why I don't know, as it could not be slipped off the finger due to the swollen knuckle.”
He insists it cannot be regarded as an accidental loss.
The ring, which was last valued in 1977 at £3277, is 1.35 carat and set in platinum.
Mr Broadhurst believes the ring could now be worth over £10,000.
“To say we are extremely upset would be an understatement,” he added.
He said his Mum is totally blind in one eye, almost blind in the other, and very deaf, with slight vascular dementia.
He said: “What is most upsetting is the fact that because the ring could not be removed, we did not see the need to insure it, and as such it was not insured.”
He said: “When mum entered the care home we signed a contract which included the clause that the company would only cover items up to £500, and any other personal items valued above this amount should be covered by private insurance.”
Mr Broadhust added: “The ring was the only tangible item of value she had left in the world and had always said that, when she passed, it was to be given to my eldest sister.
“The last thing of value which she has is her body, and this she has donated to medical science at Aberdeen University.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 10.30am on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, we received a report of the theft of a ring from a premises on Saltburn Road, Invergordon.
“Enquiries are ongoing.”
Care provider Sanctuary Care, who provide a care service at Kintyre House Care home, has been contacted for comment.
