A MUM was devastated to find her house had been burgled while she was in hospital.

Rebecca Nichols returned home from Colchester Hospital on Friday morning, after a four-day stay.

The first thing she noticed was the door to her home in Spiritus House, Hawkins Road, Colchester, had been damaged.

On entering the house she found a lot of property had been damaged and a number of personal items had been stolen.

It is not the first time her home has been broken into. She has already had three TVs stolen and says it is because of issues with security.

She said it is starting to affect her children Owen, 13, and Jennifer, three.

Rebecca, 31, said: “Two weeks ago the TV out of my bedroom had been stolen. I went into hospital last Monday, my partner and son were at mine all week until Thursday.

“It was that night my son’s TV and boyfriend Andy’s PlayStation 3 were stolen, as well as my son’s Pokemon collection.

“It’s heartbreaking to me and the kids as we can’t have nice things or a safe home to live in.

“My son came home with my partner and said ‘Mum I don’t want an Xbox for Christmas, because I don’t want it to be taken away from me’.

“The TV that was stolen was passed down to him from his nan who passed away two years ago. We’re all emotionally drained and at our wits’ end.”

Rebecca had been in hospital for a proctectomy due to indeterminate colitis which is affecting her bowels.

She was discharged to recover at home on Friday morning.

Police came to interview Rebecca over the weekend, it is understood her son’s TV had been found in the Cash in Hand store in Queen Street.

Andy and Owen have been searching the town centre for the other stolen items.

A fundraising page has been set up for the family. 

Visit https://www.gofundme.com/5xqj3t-young-mum-robbed-while-in-hospital

Rebecca has appealed to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area on Thursday night to call Colchester police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.