A COUPLE have told of their heartache after their daughter – lured into a life of drugs and crime by her murderer ex-boyfriend – stole thousands of pounds worth of jewellery from them.
Diane and Rob Woollis believe their daughter Beth Woollis – the former girlfriend of convicted murderer Luke Griffiths – was influenced by him and his family.
They had hoped once Griffiths, his father Lee, brother Thomas and step-brother Mark Jackson had been jailed for the murder of Adam Vincent she would get her life back on track.
However, at Grimsby Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 18-year-old Beth, of Albion Street, admitted to stealing £1,500 of gold jewellery from her parents – including Diane's engagement ring – while staying with them in November last year.
She sold on the items to Money Shop stores in Hainton Avenue and Victoria Street through their buy-back scheme for a total of £285.
Diane said: "I can't believe she has done something like this to us. We have noticed bits of money going missing in the past, but never thought she would do something this bad."
In a further blow, Diane – who had previously had the items valued at £4,900 – said she had been told in order to get the jewellery back, she would have to buy it, for £450.84.
And, if she can't come up with the cash within seven months of the sale, it could be sold on to the general public.
She said: "I just can't believe that they are expecting me to pay to get my own things back.
"We're not rich people. We don't have that kind of money to spare."
She said Humberside Police informed them they had no power to seize the jewellery.
"The way the law stands now, anyone can walk in with anyone's jewellery and there's nothing the owner can do about it.
"Someone could break into every house in your street, pinch the jewellery and sell it on, no questions asked."
A spokesman for the Money Shop said: "The Money Shop does oblige customers to certify to their ownership of goods and proof of identity has to be provided and recorded.
"Certain items with verifiable serial numbers are cross-checked, however in the majority of cases this is not possible.
"To date, the police have not approached The Money Shop in relation to these events, however, the account concerned has been suspended."
A police spokesman said: "During investigations involving items which have been stolen, detectives and investigating officers follow guidance issued as part of the Property Act in order to ensure we make the most of our opportunities to gather evidence and seize any property which may aid in bringing charges to a suspect.
"This process can change on a case-by-case basis, depending on the evidence available and the circumstances of the theft.
"In this instance, police are taking a look back at the investigation to ensure that the correct decisions were made in order to identify any areas for possible improvement in this process in the future so it is not appropriate to comment any further.
Beth, who also admitted stealing a quantity of meat from Sainsbury's Alexandra Retail Park store on March 6, will be sentenced on April 8.
Keep checking your Grimsby Telegraph for updates.
