A BBC investigation has revealed a shocking theft from the bedside of a man who died in Basildon Hospital.

Now his widow has issued an emotional appeal for the return of her late husband's wedding ring

Mick Neighbour died of bladder cancer at Basildon Hospital on 11 March, aged 63. His widow Gail, 60, said the ring went missing while she was getting some rest at home, and its return would mean "absolutely everything".

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSE) said it was sorry to hear about the theft and was supporting a police investigation.

A BBC Freedom of Information request revealed there were 32 incidents of personal items being stolen from the trust's buildings last year.

The couple lived in Basildon but Gail was originally from Cornwall.

She had the words "my a'th kar" engraved on the inside of the ring, which means "I love you" in Cornish.

Mrs Neighbour said she left his bedside on 10 February to get some sleep at home, and the ring was gone when she returned the next day.

advertisement

"I just can't believe people are that disgusting, to be honest," she said

"I'm just hoping that if anybody does have it, they actually have a heart and they give it back because of the sentimental value.

"It would mean absolutely everything because I don't have my husband anymore."

Mick and Gail Neighbour

"Mick was one of the kindest, nicest people you could ever meet in your life," she continued. 

"He was compassionate. He was my soulmate. We were each other's heartbeat. He loved, we've got 20 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren."

Natasha Kerrigan, chief estates and infrastructure officer at MSE, said: "We are very sorry to hear about the theft of Mr Neighbour's ring, and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. 

"We will fully support the ongoing police investigation into this incident."

advertisement

She said thefts were "rare", had reduced in recent years and were taken "extremely seriously".

"As part of our preventative approach, we have 24‑hour security presence on our sites alongside CCTV coverage," she added.