THE son of murder victim Ellen Crank has been stunned by a callous burglary at his home just over two weeks after his mother was killed.

Stanley Crank, aged 45, and his partner Christine woke yesterday to find their house in Cross Street, near Bolton town centre, had been broken into. Mr Crank is still trying to come to terms with the murder of his 76-year-old mother, who was brutally stabbed to death in the kitchen of her home in Kingscourt Avenue on Friday, February 21.

Mr Crank's partner was too upset to speak about the incident yesterday.

Several items were stolen from the house, leaving the couple devastated.

Police are investigating the burglary.

Mr Crank is still trying to come to terms with the murder of his 76-year-old mother, who was brutally stabbed to death in the kitchen of her home in Kingscourt Avenue on Friday February 21.

Earlier that evening, the pensioner had enjoyed a birthday party with her friends at the Victory Community Centre in Chorley Old Road.

Mrs Crank's body was discovered by a neighbour two days later.

Detectives are still appealing for information about the murder and the final movements of the widow.

The last known sighting was at 9pm that evening when Mrs Crank returned home from the party with a bag of leftover sandwiches and cakes.