'Thief stole everything I cherished from my late husband'

After major heart surgery, Stan Shepherd took early retirement and devoted time to his wife Susan, who had gone back to work full-time.

He would have a hot meal ready for her coming home, a bath run each night, and frequently made her smile with his self-deprecating sense of humour.

"Stan was a character," Susan, 74, said. "He was a great husband to me."

After Stan's death in 2010, Susan found herself carefully storing away precious mementos from their 40 years of marriage - Stan's wedding band, her own wedding and engagement rings, even a pair of his shoes.

These were among the items Susan found to be missing after a thief ransacked her Aberdeen home in August last year. Stan's ashes were also disturbed.

"I've nothing of him now," Susan said. "They can't be replaced. Whatever he did with them - and that's a question I'd love to ask him, did he sell them in the pub, £20 a piece or something? To me it was just my lifetime's precious bits and pieces."

Susan agreed to speak to BBC Scotland News to describe the significant impact of the break-in.

She said the sentimental items could never be replaced, and described the crime as a "violation" of what should have been her safe space.

She also spoke out in the hope she could somehow one day get even some of her treasured belongings back if someone had bought or found them after the crime.

The crime happened at her home in the Bucksburn area of Aberdeen in August last year while she away for a few days.

Gordon Martin, 56, was jailed for three years at Peterhead Sheriff Court on 16 April after he admitted the theft of jewellery and a jewellery box as well as other personal belongings. The total estimated value was several thousand pounds.

Susan described her experience in a moving statement read to the court.

Sheriff Annella Cowan said the crime victim had taken the opportunity to describe how it had harmed her mental health.

"I cannot explain how disturbed I am by this despicable crime," her statement said. "I will never recover from this."

The sheriff described her words as "elegant and eloquent".

Susan found out about the break-in when a neighbour contacted her about a smashed door, and relatives then discovered the house had been ransacked.

"It was unbelievable, it just devastated me," she said.

"My late husband's ashes were disturbed, that just broke my heart."

Describing what items were among belongings taken, she said: "My wedding ring, my engagement ring, my late husband's wedding band, baby bangles, my late father's wedding signet ring. Just the sentimental things that mean more to me."

She said she had been a collector of jewellery throughout her life since she was about 15.

Everything aside from a necklace she had been wearing when away during the break-in was taken.

She explained: "The fact that somebody comes in to your home and rifles through your personal belongings, it's a violation of your safe space.

"I go out less. I do not answer the door unless I know who's coming.

"I suffer from depression since my husband died, and this set me back."

She described her late husband as a "brilliant" man who looked after her well.

"It does not feel like my home anymore, it just feels like a house. I would love to move, but I couldn't afford it, so I am kind of stuck.

"I cannot shake off what has happened."

Susan had wanted to leave her jewellery to granddaughter Kenzie, 17, and Carrie, her 42-year-old daughter.

Carrie said: "It was a complete intrusion. I would like to know what he has to say for himself.

"I have been searching high and low for her jewellery, it was her lifelong collection.

"It has completely turned her life upside down. It has ruined her."

Defence solicitor David Sutherland had told the court Martin was "thoroughly ashamed" of what he had done.

The sheriff said she took account of the fact Martin had taken medication and alcohol before the crime, and gave credit for the fact that the victim would not have to give evidence.

But Sheriff Cowan said there was an "appalling" record of dishonesty dating back to 1984, and said it was a "lifetime habit".

Of the three-year sentence, Susan said: ''Whether he got six years or 10 years, it wouldn't have mattered.

"The thing is, when he got caught I was elated as I thought I might get my stuff back, so it was disappointing again."

Carol Eden, of Victim Support Scotland, said: "What we hear about people who are impacted by break-ins is it often results in fear of leaving the house, fear of being alone as well, that their space has been violated, and they maybe feel unsafe.

"This results in many feeling overwhelmed, and nightmares also as well. People can also be angry and anxious and confused. So lots and lots of feelings, but potentially also blaming themselves for what's happened.

"But it's important to know that the only person who's responsible for this is the person who's committed the crime."

She added: "If anybody does need support, we do have a helpline. Support can be offered."