THIEVES have dealt a cruel blow to a York teenager's family still struggling to come terms with his sudden death.

Tracy Way, who found her son, David Harry, 15, dead in his bed in October last year, today spoke of her shock and outrage after burglars raided her New Earswick home as the family slept upstairs.

Initial inquiries after David's death showed the Joseph Rowntree School pupil died from a massive heart attack, caused by a heart abnormality.

The family have been steeling themselves for the inquest into his death, which is being heard later this week and the burglary - their first - could not have come at a worse time.

Mrs Way said: "I feel numb. After what happened with David, everyone has been so good round the village and it builds up your faith in people. But now I feel as if I'll be going out looking at everyone and thinking 'Was it you?'. All my faith in human nature has just gone right down the pan."

She believes, that in such a close-knit community as New Earswick, the culprits may have known David or would have known of the family's situation.

About 90 DVD films, some of which were Christmas presents to Mrs Way's four-year-old son, Ryan, were taken along with her handbag, mobile phone and a bottle of Malibu from the kitchen.

Mrs Way and her husband, Ian, had stayed up watching a film until 2am, and the burglary happened between then and 8am yesterday, when daugher Amy, 12, discovered what had happened. The back door to the house had been left unlocked.

Mrs Way said: "I know the door should have been locked but you just don't expect this to happen. I know they were only films and it could have been worse, but it is the fact they have been in the house while we were asleep."

DVDs were also taken in a burglary at a house at Cherry Tree Avenue, New Earswick, during the same time.

Anyone with information can phone police on 01904 631321, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or the Evening Press on 01904 653051.

Updated: 12:06 Tuesday, January 21, 2003