CALLOUS crooks ransacked the shed of a widower and his dead wife just days after she was buried.

Adrienne Watts, 75, died on October 24 after suffering a heart attack.

Her funeral was held on Thursday in Southminster but just days later her husband Ray, 69, found the sheds at the plots on Pantile Hill had been targeted.

Mr Watts, of Vicarage Meadow, reported the break-in to the police after he made the “heart-breaking” discovery on Sunday morning.

Thieves got away with a number of power tools including a mower and items by Wilkinson Sword.

“We had two plots which we shared together – mine and my wife’s,” he said.

“It was our hobby and we enjoyed going down there.

“I can’t believe someone would stoop so low at this time. It is bad enough right now. It is unbelievable.

“I really hope someone comes forward with information.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police were contacted on November 15 with reports of theft from two sheds in Southminster.

“It happened between 12pm on November 8 and 11.45pm on November 15.

“Thieves had forced entry to the sheds in Pantile Hill and removed tools.”

Anyone with information should call 101.