Shipman ‘stolen jewellery’ investigation closes

An investigation into jewellery found at the home of serial killer Harold Shipman has concluded, with one ring being returned to the family of one of his victims.

The ring was one of a number of items of jewellery seized by Greater Manchester Police during a search of the former GP’s home.

Shipman’s widow, Primrose, was able to keep some of the items – mainly items of low-value costume jewellery - after producing receipts to prove that some of them were hers. The case was referred to the Asset Recovery Agency, because it was believed the items were the proceeds of crime.

Police contacted all known relatives of Shipman’s victims or suspected victims – he is believed to have been responsible for the deaths of around 250 people – and urged them to contact them if they believed any of their relatives’ jewellery had gone missing.

25 families contacted police with descriptions of items they believed were missing, but police said none of the descriptions provided “unambiguous matches” to those taken from Shipman’s home.

Relatives were invited to view the jewellery, the ARA said, in order to “satisfy themselves that none of the items belonged to their deceased relatives”.

The family who received the ring – described as a diamond and platinum ring – had a photograph, which corroborated their claim, the ARA said. Their identity has not been revealed.

The remaining items were auctioned and raised £1,700, which will be given to Tameside Victim Support. The ARA said that no details about the auction or further information about the items would be revealed, in order to “prevent any possibility of the items being traded for other than their intrinsic value”.

Adrian Brenton, Deputy Director of the ARA, said: “We are pleased that we have been able to use our expertise to bring this case to a speedy conclusion. The local Victim Support group did a terrific job in very distressing circumstances and it is fitting that they should receive the proceeds.”

(KMcA/SP)