Gran's items binned after firm thought she was dead

The family of a 97-year-old who lost her life's possessions said contractors mistakenly threw them away because they thought she was dead.

Clothes, wedding photos and war medals were tossed away from Mable Ogle's home while she was temporarily receiving respite care after a fall.

Granddaughter Karen Henshaw, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, said contractors had been sent in to remove furniture damaged by a water leak, but binned her belongings.

The company involved has apologised and has paid compensation to the victim.

Mabel Ogle fell at her home in Freshwater on the Isle of Wight in October 2023, and was moved to a respite care centre in November.

While she was there, a toilet leaked and her house was flooded.

Contractors were sent by an insurance firm to remove damaged furniture but Mrs Ogle's belongings were taken to landfill by mistake.

Sentimental items such as family photo albums, love letters, her glasses, make-up and jewellery were also thrown out.

Her granddaughter said they had "literally taken everything".

The 51-year-old said: "I can't tell her what's happened, it'll break her heart".

Mrs Ogle, who is originally from Oldham, has returned to her home, but lives in the living room.

She is only able to use one eye, is unable to walk, and receives care in her home six times a day.

"I don't understand how a company can just dispose of somebody's belongings", Mrs Henshaw said.

"Its just horrendous, you know how long it takes to build up your possessions and its just gone in landfill."

Mrs Ogle has been given £2,500 in compensation by insurance firm Royal Sun Alliance, who employed the contractors.

A spokesman said the company was "sincerely sorry" and offered the sum to compensate for the "undoubted distress" the mistake had caused.

He added that the Financial Ombudsman Service had concluded the handling of the complaint and the compensation payment "was reasonable".

But Mrs Henshaw said it was "not enough" given the hurt caused and she wanted her grandmother's story told as "I'd hate this to happen to anybody else."

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