Widower who won late wife's heart with solid gold Rolo devastated after thieves steal jewellery and wedding rings

A widower who wooed his late wife with a diamond-encrusted Nestle Rolo has pleaded for the return of her one-of-a-kind jewellery and wedding ring after they were stolen by thieves who broke into his home.
By Wes Holmes
Published 17th Oct 2020, 07:00 BST
John and KarenJohn and Karen
John and Karen

John Wood, 58, lost his wife Karen to kidney failure in January after 22 years of marriage.

The pair met in 1992 and the following year John presented her with a solid gold Rolo with a diamond in the centre in reference to the chocolate's tag line 'Do you love anyone enough to give them your last Rolo?'.

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'Last Rolo' jewellery is usually gold-plated and plain, but John received special permission from Nestle to have his then-girlfriend's gift custom made just for her.

John's stolen watchesJohn's stolen watches
John's stolen watches

The pendant was stolen from John's Common Edge Road home on the night of Saturday, October 10, along with two unique wedding rings decorated with 12 diamonds representing the words 'I love you'.

John said: "They mean everything to me. Although I've got memories, I've got nothing left of her. These things were special.

"When I came back from being away for the weekend I pulled up onto my drive and noticed the back door was open. I saw the window was smashed in the front room and upstairs the safe was gone. They had thrown it down the stairs - the stairs were all smashed up."

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A collection of watches belonging to John were also stolen during the raid - but he said: "I don't care about that - I just want the rings back."

Karen renewing her wedding vows - the gold Rolo can be seen around her neckKaren renewing her wedding vows - the gold Rolo can be seen around her neck
Karen renewing her wedding vows - the gold Rolo can be seen around her neck

He had a history of presenting his wife with quirky romantic gestures, writing 200 love notes to her one Valentine's Day and dressing up as a knight in shining armor for her on another. In 2017, he jetted her off on a surprise holiday to Las Vegas where they renewed their wedding vows.

He said: "As soon as I saw her sparks flew. It was love at first sight.

"Karen was lovely, bubbly, caring and very loving. It was a complete joy to be with her."

LANCASHIRE POLICE SAID:

Karen's stolen wedding ringsKaren's stolen wedding rings
Karen's stolen wedding rings
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"We were called at around 9.15am on October 12 to a report of a burglary at a property on Common Edge Road, Blackpool.

"Items reported stolen were a safe containing jewellery including wedding rings and a collection of watches.

"Offenders are thought to have gained entry via a front bathroom window at some point over the weekend.

"Enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 quoting log number 0278 of October 12."