Reward offered after thieves ransack Stevenage do-gooder’s house and steal late wife’s wedding pictures

A reward has been offered for information leading to the conviction of the thieves who ransacked a do-gooder’s house and stole his wedding photos.

Richard Ross-Langley owns Mine Of Innovation, a Knebworth-based social enterprise which provides charities and disadvantaged people with computers.

Yesterday he announced he is offering a reward for information leading to the conviction of the criminals who broke into Louis Smith’s house in Southwark Close in Stevenage on Thursday, April 30, between 3pm and 4pm.

He said: “He has been disturbed since the break-in.

“It is alarming to say that someone will break into your house when you go out for an hour. Somebody must have seen something going on and I would urge them to get in touch with the police if they know anything.

“I will be personally offering a reward for any information that leads to the conviction of the people responsible.”

Louis trained as an electrical engineer but has been unemployed since 2007 when he had an accident at work.

He now spends his time voluntarily fixing old computers for the firm which then gives them away or charges a small fee to people or groups who need them.

The break-in happened when the 61-year-old went out for an appointment at Lister Hospital in Stevenage.

When he returned less than an hour later he found the windows and front door of his house open.

“The house had been totally trashed,” he said.

“They took around eight computers that I was fixing in total as well as TVs and my personal laptop that was in my bedroom.

“It had all my late wife Valerie’s information on including our wedding photos. That was the most upsetting thing.

“How can people do this? I try to look after all the elderly and disadvantaged people and look what has happened to me.”

Anyone with information should call the police on 101.