A LAPTOP stolen from the home of a teenage girl who had died of cancer days before was sold to the owners of a Bournemouth takeaway.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Natalie Elbrow, 47, appealed for the return of items including an Apple Macbook, an iPad and Pandora jewellery following the incident, which happened as she said goodbye to her 15-year-old daughter Daisy.

Daisy, a pupil at Bourne Academy, died following a seven-month battle with renal cell carcinoma.

On Friday morning, Natasha Stark, of Monks Way, Bournemouth, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentence after admitting handling stolen goods.

She also admitted a count of shoplifting, and asked for a further charge of shoplifting to be taken into account.

Stuart Ellacott, prosecuting, said a burglary took place at Ms Elbrow’s home in Leybourne Avenue, Bournemouth on November 23 last year.

“A door was forced and items stolen, including an Apple Macbook, an iPad and jewellery,” he said.

“The victim of the burglary was away from the property that afternoon having gone to say goodbye to her young daughter, who had died four days previously.

“She had gone to the hospice to visit for one last time.”

Daisy had been given the laptop following a Crowdfunding appeal, which was supported by people from her community, Mr Ellacott said.

“She used the laptop to keep in touch with the outside world while staying in hospital,” the prosecutor said.

On November 27 2017, police were called to a takeaway in Wimborne Road. The owners had been sold a Macbook and iPad, but were suspicious about where the items had come from. High-quality CCTV footage was provided to police, and Stark was identified and arrested.

Richard Tutt, mitigating, argued the case was not so serious as it might have been as the items had been returned quickly, although Judge Nicholas Atkinson QC replied: “They were returned because the person approached to purchase them was alerted to the fact they were suspicious.

“Fortunately, there was some CCTV footage.

“You are saying, ‘Let me client benefit from that.’”

Mr Tutt said: “I don’t suggest it’s positive for her, but the reality is that when one considers the items, they were fortuitously returned.”

Stark was aware the items had been stolen during a burglary, he said.

“In November 2017, she was a drug addict, and using crack cocaine and heroin,” Mr Tutt said.

“It was quite a bad time.”

However, since then she has sought treatment and support, and is looking for volunteering opportunities, the court heard.

“She has a certain amount of promise, and hopefully a positive future in front of her,” Mr Tutt said.

Judge Atkinson told Stark the case was “tragic”.

“The items had great sentimental value,” he said.

“You are 36 years old. If you don’t turn yourself around now, it’s a pretty gloomy prospect for the future.

“I don’t suppose your parents, 36 years ago, thought they’d be responsible for you for all these years. They probably thought you’d leave home in your late teens or early 20s and have a proper life and a new existence for yourself.

“You are very fortunate that you have their support.”

Stark was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years. She must also complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days with the probation service, and undertake 150 hours of unpaid work.

Caleb Warren, 32 and of Solly Close in Poole, has pleaded not guilty to burglary. He will face a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court on May 3.