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Killed soldier's mementoes stolen Killed soldier's mementoes stolen
(about 18 hours later)
Jewellery has been stolen from the home of a Coleraine couple whose son was recently killed while serving with the Army in Afghanistan. Jewellery has been stolen from the home of a Coleraine woman whose son was recently killed while serving with the Army in Afghanistan.
He had bought many items taken from the house in Willowfield Avenue for his mother Mary. He had bought many items taken from the house in Willowfield Avenue for his mother, Mary.
Detectives said the burglary took place before 2000 GMT on Saturday.Detectives said the burglary took place before 2000 GMT on Saturday.
Captain David Patten, 38, who was from Aghadowey, near Coleraine, died in the southern Helmand province in the summer as he served with the special forces.Captain David Patten, 38, who was from Aghadowey, near Coleraine, died in the southern Helmand province in the summer as he served with the special forces.
He was buried next to his father, who was a major in the former Ulster Defence Regiment.He was buried next to his father, who was a major in the former Ulster Defence Regiment.
Mr Patten was a father of three children, aged 14 months, 12 and 14 years old.Mr Patten was a father of three children, aged 14 months, 12 and 14 years old.
'Precious mementoes''Precious mementoes'
His stepfather, Angus Gamble, said his wife was distraught by the robbery, which took place when there was no-one at home.His stepfather, Angus Gamble, said his wife was distraught by the robbery, which took place when there was no-one at home.
"This has just brought it all back to her. She had only gone back to work a couple of weeks ago after David's death and now this happens," he said."This has just brought it all back to her. She had only gone back to work a couple of weeks ago after David's death and now this happens," he said.
"There were quite a few valuable items, gifts from her son, things I bought her."There were quite a few valuable items, gifts from her son, things I bought her.
"But it is the things David bought which are important to her, they are precious mementoes."But it is the things David bought which are important to her, they are precious mementoes.
There were handwritten notes to his mum he had included with the jewellery when he bought her a gift and which she had kept."There were handwritten notes to his mum he had included with the jewellery when he bought her a gift and which she had kept."
Mr Gamble said his wife was appealing to the people who stole the property to return it.Mr Gamble said his wife was appealing to the people who stole the property to return it.