Stalbrige pensioner forced to cancel family party after wallet stolen

AN 87-year-old Stalbridge man has cancelled plans for a party to treat his family after his wallet was stolen.

Widower John Osborne had £660 in cash in the black leather wallet ready to pay for the party he wanted to host as a thank you to his family and friends for the help they give him.

But the theft of the wallet has left him devastated, his daughter-in-law Sharon Osborne said.

She said: “The police are investigating but he doesn’t expect to see the wallet or the money again.

“He’s also upset because he kept his favourite picture of his late wife, Queenie, in that wallet and that’s gone too.

“It was taken years ago and there’s no negative so we can’t get a copy. He loved that photo and always kept it with him.

“He’s absolutely devastated that it’s gone.

“He can’t get about much but he really wanted to hold a surprise party at the Swan in Stalbridge for all his family and friends to say thank you for everything.

“He’s only on a pension but he’d got the money ready to pay for the booking and everything.

“We said we’d do a party for him but he doesn’t want to do anything now. he’s too upset.”

She said Mr Osborne discovered the theft on Friday, two days before his 87th birthday.

Mr Osborne has lived in Stalbridge since 1993.

A spokeswoman for Dorset Police confirmed the theft had been reported and is being investigated.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police on 101. The incident number is 4:485.