A DEVASTATED son discovered his late father's house had been trashed by burglars - just 15 minutes before his funeral service.

The family of Goff Cook, 77, discovered the break-in at his Newport home as they arrived to wait outside it for the funeral cars to take them to the service in his memory on Tuesday.

Son Bert Cook, 51, was in the car en-route to the house in Pontfaen Road when his niece Sheleen Morgan called him at 12.15pm and told him the news. His father's funeral was at 12.30pm at St Phillips Church, Jenkins Street.

When he arrived at his father's house and went inside, he saw the trail of destruction left by the criminals, who stole the boiler, a Flymo lawn mower and jet washer before wrecking the house, ripping out drawers and cupboards and leaving the contents strewn about the bungalow.

Water was left leaking from pipes in the ceiling, coming through light fittings.

The family are still sifting through the wreckage to see if anything else is missing.

Grieving relatives only had time to turn off the water main before going to the funeral.

They had to phone the police after the service.

Bert Cook, who lives with his wife Carolyn, 51, in Balmoral Road, Newport, said: "I was disgusted, they've trashed everything when we hadn't even put him to rest.

"They're scum, who would do that? We're absolutely devastated, what's this country coming to? They're just thugs - it's heartbreaking."

Family members were at Goff Cook's house on Monday afternoon so know the break-in happened either that evening or the day of his funeral.

Goff Cook died in the Royal Gwent Hospital on March 10 after a short illness, and his wife Hazel, known to everyone as Gladys, died ten years ago aged 67.

Mr Cook senior was buried at St Woolos cemetery after Tuesday's service.

Gwent Police are appealing for anyone with information on the burglary to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Burglary was heartless act

WHAT a truly horrible experience for the Cook family of Newport in the days after the loss of their father.

For as the family were preparing to bury Goff Cook, burglars were busy stealing from, his home and then wrecking it.

The thieves made off with a boiler, a Flymo lawn mower and jet washer before then ransacking the house, ripping out drawers and cupboards and leaving their contents strewn all over the bungalow.

Water was left leaking through light fittings from damaged pipes in the ceiling. What a despicable act.

It may well turn out to be the case that these burglars knew the house was empty and the reasons why.

If so their actions are even more unforgiveable.

Not only are Mr Cook’s family trying to come to terms with their loss but they now face having to sort out the terrible mess that has been left behind.

At a time of emotional turmoil the family is having to cope with the added strain of dealing with police and filling out insurance forms.

We hope that whoever is behind this is caught soon.

They show no respect for people or their property and deserve nothing more than a lengthy prison sentence.