Callous thieves stooped to a new low this week when they drained oil from the tank of a 95-year-old Armagh woman under the cover of darkness.
Elizabeth Pauline Arthurs had only just filled her tank at the end of March, paying out over £380.
Now she has been left feeling shocked and vulnerable after thieves struck in the garden of her Woodford View home.
Mrs Arthurs’ daughter Sheelagh branded the culprits “despicable” and turned to Armagh I this afternoon (Friday) to highlight the incident in a bid to warn others.
Oil prices have rocketed in recent weeks and the rising costs have left many holding out in the hope of a reversal of that trend.
But the pensioner had topped up her tank, buying around 400 litres to see her through.
Sheelagh told Armagh I: “My mother is almost 96-years-old and is a very kind and much-loved woman.
“She didn’t know until Thursday morning what had happened. She was in bed at around 10.30pm or 11pm and all the lights in the house were out. She saw lights moving outside her bedroom window. She thought there were people walking behind the bedroom.
“She thought her neighbour over the fence maybe was bringing her car in and talking to somebody.
“She didn’t go out and then the following day she just was looking out the back window and she found this big, black hose, about 10 or 12 feet long, in the garden, which had not been there previously.”
Upon investigation, the sickening reality of what had happened became clear.
“When her grandson arrived, she had him go out and look and that’s when she realised,” explained Sheelagh. “He had dipped her tank the week before. It was considerably lower than when he tested it the week before. It had minimal oil left.
“She had just spent around £380, whatever that got her, and she had oil in it already. She always tops it up so she doesn’t have to spend a whole fortune.
“She rarely used it, because she’s in and out and has heating pads anyway, but there was a considerable amount gone.
“We phoned the police and reported it but the police said there’s nothing they could do but to give her a case number.”
Sheelagh made contact with Armagh I to help get the word out that this type of behaviour is “occurring locally in Armagh”.
And with the cost of oil as it is at the moment, there is a growing fear of a spike in this type of activity.
“It’s a disgrace that this is happening and more so to vulnerable pensioners,” added Sheelagh. “It’s shocking, absolutely atrocious.
“They must be the most heartless, selfish human beings. I can’t imagine that there’s anybody locally, I would hope not, that would do such a thing.
“My mum’s grandson feels very strongly that, perhaps whoever did it was following the oil tanker. That’s why I thought it would be pertinent to make people aware. Maybe when they were doing the fill they were following around and maybe would focus on those homes.”
Elizabeth has been left shaken by the experience, knowing that someone could have done this as she lay in bed.
“It has left her feeling quite vulnerable,” said Sheelagh. “We’re not happy now with her alone in the house. She’s out with me now this afternoon. We’re just very relieved that she didn’t get up and go and look to see who was there.
“My mum lives alone, she’s very independent, but obviously we have people in and out during the day. We’re just very shocked that something like this would happen.
“We had a very kind neighbour who came and put a lock on her tank afterwards.
“If people are aware that this is something that can happen at least maybe they’ll take a wee bit of extra precaution.”
