POLICE diving teams spent hours searching the River Freshney in Top Town for a stolen iPod.
Four members from the Yorkshire And Humber Diving Team scoured the bottom of the river, behind Freshney Place, while shoppers stood and watched yesterday.
It is understood they were looking for the iPod stolen by ex-health worker Leslie Ashford, from the late Patricia Isherwood, who was a patient in his care at Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital.
Ashford stole the device – which contained photographs, films and music – from Patricia, 57, from Scartho, after she died.
The case has already been to court and Ashford sentenced.
One diver at the scene, who refused to be named, said: "We have been sent to see if we can find it so the family can have it back.
"Assuming they can still get the information from it somehow, it may provide comfort to the family.
"It is important we get it back for them."
Although Humberside Police would not confirm the divers were looking for that particular iPod, the Telegraph understands this is the case.
During the court hearing, Ashford admitted in court he had thrown it into the river.
The waterway had not been searched until now because visibility has been poor.
Using snorkel masks, they crawled on all fours on the river bed, in pouring rain.
The chances of the iPod, valued at £190, working and being able to recover Patricia's photographs and memories, are slim.
However, part of procedure when investigating thefts is to return the stolen items back to the victims.
At the time of going to press, Patricia's daughter Kelly Isherwood was unavailable for comment, but after Ashford was sentenced to 250 hours of unpaid work last month, she told the Grimsby Telegraph: "He totally disrespected the memory of her."
Ashford was sacked from his job at the hospital, but has since been working elsewhere. He made a public apology through the Grimsby Telegraph for his shocking actions, which the family described as "despicable and disgusting".
Onlooker Becki Gilman said of the divers' efforts: "I doubt they will find it and even if they do, they won't get the pictures back, which is really sad.
"I hope they do find it, though. What that man did was disgusting."
A Humberside Police spokesperson said: "Where possible, Humberside Police will make the necessary attempts to return stolen property to its rightful owner."
Late yesterday afternoon, the divers ended the search, having not found it, but will return today.
