A DISABLED pensioner told how thieves have ruined Christmas after stealing £1,000 worth of jewellery and presents.

Rita O’Leary, 76, of Travers Way, Pitsea, was out with a friend as burglars raided her home between 11am and 12.30pm.

The break-in came just two days after Basildon Council ordered Mrs O’Leary, who is wheelchair bound and suffers with a chronic kidney condition, to remove barbed wire she kept on a fence at the back of her home.

Thieves stole her wedding ring, jewellery passed down from her parents and Christmas gifts for her family.

Mrs O’Leary said: “It’s the fact the jewellery holds so much sentimental value which makes me angry.

“My house is on its own at the end and has an alleyway next to it, and the wiring was there to stop my home being targeted.

“Just two days after it goes down, I get robbed. My Christmas has been ruined.

“When I got home, I honestly thought the dog had been mucking about and had made all the mess.

“I think what gave it away was the fact she was barking even as we came down the alley towards the house.”

Mrs O’Leary confirmed she has been in touch with local pawnbrokers in a bid to be reunited with her stolen items, which include five belcher chains, a ruby cluster ring, a wedding ring, gold chains, bracelets and cufflinks.

Her daughter Kathy Brown, 44, of Little Searles, Pitsea, said: “It really has knocked my mum back, especially as she’s on her own.

“It all comes just before Christmas which is terrible, and I am disgusted at the council. Her home was seen as an easy target I think.

“There’s a gate nearby with spikes on it, and we were told to take the barbed wire away because it could injure or hurt someone.

“The only person it could hurt would be somebody climbing over the fence, like a burglar in this case.

“It just seems to be double standards.”

A Basildon Council spokesman said the authority discourages using altered fencing as a vigilante security measure.

He said: “When Basildon Council was made aware of the fencing in question, officers advised the tenant that she would need to remove the barbed wire.

“The council does not allow its tenants to attach any barbed wire, broken glass or other materials to any part of its properties that is likely to cause personal injury.”

The Echo contacted Essex Police for a comment, but did not receive a reply before going to print.

The break-in took place on Wednesday.