A THIEF has stolen a pensioner's tablet - with hundreds of family photos stored on it - while she was volunteering at an Isle of Wight charity shop.
Valerie Pressey, of Gordon Road, Newport, works as a sales assistant at the Isle of Wight MS Society charity shop in Regent Street, Shanklin.
While 72-year-old Valerie was working in the shop, an opportunist thief went in and took the Samsung Galaxy 3 tablet from under the counter on Tuesday afternoon.
Valerie, who has worked at the shop the past 12 years, said the theft had left her feeling distraught.
"It was a quiet afternoon. I checked my messages on Facebook and even played a game on the tablet, then placed it under the counter," she said.
"I had either nipped out to get a quick drink from the cafe, which is inside the shop, or I was hanging up clothing.
"The theft happened sometime between 3.30pm and 5pm, when we were closing. It must've been a spur-of-the-moment thing. The thief must have been watching me as I left the counter area, then he came in, took it and left quickly.
"I feel devastated by what happened. There was three years' worth of family photos on the device - the only things on it I care about. There were hundreds of photos of my children, grandchildren and great-grandson, as well as video of my parrot Toby. He was a precious pet to me.
"I'm appealing to the person who took it - and I hope he or she has a conscience. I am offering a reward equal to the value of the tablet. I just want my photos back."
If anyone has any information about the theft, please call the police on 101, quoting the crime reference number 44170286913.