Late wife's ring stolen as Wolves fan's home targeted in burglary

The callous crooks stole an engagement ring belonging to Malcolm Ralph's late wife, as he attended the match against Slovan Bratislava.

Mr Ralph, 77, returned to his Fordhouses home on Thursday night, to find his back door kicked in and rooms turned upside down.

The precious engagement ring belonged to his wife Beryl, who died four years ago. His son Richard, 49, called the culprits "lowest of the low".

Mr Ralph's family has launched a heartfelt appeal in a bid to catch the suspects.

Wolves beat Slovan Bratislava 1-0 in the Europa League match at Molineux last night.

'Sentimental'

Richard told the Express & Star: "My dad is a strong character but he is disappointed and upset to lose the ring. It has got sentimental value as well as financial.

"He was out supporting the Wolves, doing his thing for the city like he always does, so this act is just the lowest of the low. It is appalling.

"My dad lives on his own. He went to the match about 5.30pm. When he returned he found the back door kicked in.

"A lot of the drawers upstairs had been opened alongside jewellery boxes. He also had a Samsung type of tablet stolen."

The burglary alarm went off during the break-in but the burglars ripped it off the wall.

Photographs taken inside the home showed wires hanging from the wall, where the alarm had previously hung.

Small drawers were left thrown across cupboards and while chest-of-drawers were left opened.

West Midlands Police has launched an investigation into the burglary. It is believed burglars struck one hour after Malcolm had left the house.

The force has also appealed for anyone with information to contact police.

A force spokesman said: "Police are investigating a burglary at a property in Wolverhampton just after 6.30pm on Thursday.

"Enquiries continue to establish exactly what has been taken. Anyone with information is asked to contact us via Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight, or call 101 anytime.

"To remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote log number 2679 of 7 November."

An alert was sent out to fellow Wolves fan on Twitter by Richard, in a bid to trace the suspects and recover the stolen items.

He said in the tweet: "Any info or witnesses, you know what to do. Return my late mom's engagement ring."

His tweet has been shared more than 700 times which has meant a lot to Richard.

He added: "The response has been quite overwhelming from the Wolves family, as always.

"It almost moved me to tears."

Mr Ralph has been a Wolves fan since he was a young boy, when he used to travel to the Molineux with his father.

Supporting Wolves is a family affair, and Mr Ralph has passed on his passion to Richard.