A GRIEVING family suffered a cruel added blow on Friday when a shameless raider broke into their car at Kingsdown Crematorium while they mourned just yards away.

Jamie and Helen Ashby were still wiping away the tears of an emotional send-off for the former’s grandmother when they were called over to their Vauxhall Zafira in the crematorium car park.

The parents-of-four found the front passenger window has been smashed by, what CCTV showed to be, a man, who had driven to the location in a modern, black Vauxhall Astra.

Footage showed the man had tried a number of door handles in the mourners’ car park, but didn’t force entry until he came to the Ashbys’ Zafira, though he failed to find anything before taking off.

Already grief-stricken, Helen, 32, said she and Jamie, 34, then missed two-and-a-half hours of the wake for his grandmother Hazel Caswell, whilst mopping up the damage.

“We had come out to people calling us over. We thought this really isn’t happening,” she said.

“We were devastated. We were so upset about saying goodbye, it was mixed emotions. We got really sad, then more upset before dealing with the anger.

“They have gone out of their way. It’s a long drive to go on.”

Wiltshire Police was called to the incident at 1.12pm, but said the CCTV footage does not provide a clear description of the man or his car registration.

The Howse Garden housewife was shocked to see someone in such an expensive car go out of their way to deprive others.

“It was a newer version of a car. That was on-hire or stolen, you wouldn’t have a car like that and go and steal everyone else’s,” she said.

Helen, who is five months pregnant with the couple’s fifth child, is not sure why their car was targeted, save for a couple of nondescript bags on show in the boot.

Jamie’s grandmother died at the age of 85 on March 8 at Kingsmead Care Home, and around 50 people were in attendance at her funeral, all of whom were very shaken by the break-in and its timing.

“The family were very concerned. Jamie’s mum was very upset. She’s just livid something like this could happen at a crematorium,” said Helen.

“It’s the last time you would expect someone to have a go during a service.

“I would tell them how much inconvenience, hassle and upset they have caused, all for nothing.

“You have just caused someone even more heartache.

“Of all the places to do it, when people are really upset and attending a funeral, why would someone want to do that?”

A local crime team is expected to pick up the investigation into the incident today as forensics are carried out on the broken glass.

Wiltshire Police is appealing for witnesses, who may call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.