Ring containing dead son’s ashes is found

Elizabeth Methven, 41, of Waalwyk Drive, Canvey, was devastated when crooks smashed their way into her home and stole the silver and ruby ring, which had been fused with son Joshua’s ashes.

It was made for his brother Joseph, 17, to wear and was engraved with the name Joshua and a heart.

Raiders also smashed a wooden box next to Miss Methven’s bed, which contained the rest of Joshua’s ashes, and stole an iPad Mini and a pair of Dr Dre Beats headphones during the burglary on September 14. The Echo ran an appeal to find the property and Joshua’s father Darren Herbert rushed round to pawnbrokers and jewellers to alert them.

A few days later a pawnbroker in the Money Shop, in Furtherwick Road, Canvey, recognised the ring as someone tried to pawn it.

She pressed the shop’s emergency buzzer and the police swooped in.

Miss Methven is relieved the ring was found. She said: “We are really lucky.

“A man came round to look for fingerprints and didn’t find anything.

“I thought it was one of those things and we would never see it again.

“I was so pleased the young lady went out of her way to protect the ring.”

She added: “I was scared and shocked when it happened. We had only been living here for two weeks. It was the most important thing that had been taken and I’m really pleased we have it back.”

Miss Methven praised police for their prompt action but she faces a wait to get the ring back.

She said: “The police have been brilliant. They acted so quickly.

They have apologised that we can’t have the ring back until their inquiries are over, but I will let them get on with their work.

“We know the ring is safe and we will get it back one day.”

An 18-year-old man from Canvey was arrested on suspicion of burglary. He has been released on police bail until January 10 pending further inquiries.

A police spokeswoman said: “A ring identified as being stolen during the burglary was offered for sale.