Police are investigating after a dementia patient's £9,000 diamond and gold rings were stolen from a care home in Sevenoaks, Kent, and replaced with plastic copies. Jacqueline Stockbridge, 69, was admitted to Holywell Park Care Home last month after suffering a stroke. She has been in the care system for 15 years.
Rings Replaced with Plastic Copies
Jacqueline's daughter, Jocelyn, 37, discovered the theft on September 21 when she visited her mother. Instead of the tailor-made jewellery, she found a plastic ring on her finger. The missing items include a £7,500 opal and gold engagement ring, encrusted with 14 diamonds, and a £1,500 baguette wedding band set with rectangular diamonds.
Jocelyn, who works for a university, said: "I thought, 'It's been stolen'. She wouldn't take it off, she's never taken it off. My first thought was to panic, but I was actually there to see my mum and see her social worker to discuss her health, so I was due in a meeting. I was distressed and panicked, wanting to prioritise my mum's wellbeing but also wanting to figure out what happened to her rings."
Care Home Response Under Scrutiny
Jocelyn raised the missing jewellery with care home staff, but claims their initial response was "dismissive" and little was done to help. Her mother had not realised the rings were missing until her daughter pointed it out.
Jocelyn said: "When I said to my mum, she said, 'Oh my God, it's not there.' When I pointed it out to her, she was really upset, but 10 minutes later she'll have forgotten. Then you point it out to her again, and she's upset again. In the moment, she'll have known what was happening if someone took it off her, but then she will have forgotten, especially if they've replaced it with something, she's going to be thinking about it less."
Police Investigation and Next Steps
Jocelyn reported the missing rings to police, and officers have taken the plastic ring for forensic examination. The care home has told her it will review its procedures following the incident.
A Kent Police spokesperson said: "Kent Police is investigating the alleged theft of two rings from the resident of a care home in Hodsoll Street, New Ash Green, between Tuesday 1 September and Tuesday 29 September. Officers have spoken to a relative of the victim and enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. Anyone with information that may assist is urged to call the west Kent appeals line on 01622 604100, quoting reference 46/158636/26."
