A VULNERABLE woman was left in shock after someone stole her handbag from her sheltered accommodation in Ellesmere and injured her heavily pregnant dog when feeling the scene.

Sarah Beach, 48, told how the woman stole her handbag containing treasured sentimental items, money and medication for epilepsy and mental health issues – which she feared might seriously harm whoever had them if they took too much.

Miss Beach, of Berwyn View, said on Christmas Eve the woman, who is a friend of a neighbour distracted her by asking her to make a phone call before fleeing with the bag, which also contained around £150 and two scratch cards.

When leaving the scene, the woman is alleged to have kicked Miss Beach’s dog Summer, causing her to go into labour a week early.

Summer and her four puppies survived, but Miss Beach the incident took a toll on both her and her pet, a 20 month old Shih Tzu –Jack Russell cross.

“I’m in shock, I haven’t eaten or slept since,” she said, “I’m struggling to feed my dog – she’s still in shock.

“I’m having to feed her by hand.”

Miss Beach – who has bipolar disorder, agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder said that the woman is in her 30s, had long dark hair and was wearing blue jeans and a pink hooded top at the time of the incident.

She had two weeks worth of medication in the handbag, and fears that the drugs could be a “very dangerous and lethal cocktail” to whoever takes them.

The handbag also contained treasured photographs and distinctive silver cat-shaped earrings.

A West Mercia Police spokesman said: “We were called at 9.01am on Tuesday, December 24 to a report of a theft from inside a property on Berwyn View, Ellesmere.

“It was reported that a black handbag containing medication, cards and personal items were stolen. Investigations are ongoing.”

Anyone with information can contact West Mercia Police on 101.

Alternatively information can be given via the anonymous Crimestoppers number on 0800 555 111.