Appeal For Return Of Video Footage Of Dying Man

A Winchester man is appealing to burglars to return a camcorder containing footage of his terminally ill father.

The JVC Everio camcorder was stolen from a home in Stratton Road, Winchester, during the afternoon of Thursday, December 30.

The burglary victim, John Harrison, is appealing directly to the thieves to return the camcorder as it contains irreplaceable footage of his father who has terminal bone cancer.

Mr Harrison said:

"I took my children to Australia to see their grandfather over Christmas and spend some time with him as he is terminally ill. I wanted them to get to know him and to have some great memories of him as he may only have months to live.

"When we got home I didn't have time to transfer the footage from the camera to my computer before it was stolen.

"This footage is completely irreplaceable. The camera probably isn't worth very much but the footage of us all together is priceless and I just want it back.

"I would appeal to the consciences of the people who took it and ask them not to delete it but to please send it back to me or send it to a police station."

The camera is a black JVC Everio camcorder, serial number MG364BEK.

PC Annelisa Cass from the Winchester Priority Crime Team said:

"To be burgled at any time of year is distressing, but to be burgled at Christmas and to have something taken that is of such great sentimental value is terrible.

"These children may never see their grandfather again and the family is now unable to look back at this footage and the memories of their time there together.

"I would appeal to anyone who has this camera, or knows where it is, to contact police or return it to Mr Harrison or to us.

"This footage is of no value to anyone else but it means such a lot to Mr Harrison and his family."

Anyone with any information should contact the Priority Crime Team at North Walls Police station on 0845 045 45 45 or call the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.