A FAMILY from Stourport-on-Severn made the trip to Portsmouth harbour for an emotional reunion with a 21-year-old sailor whose home was ransacked while he was serving his country in the Gulf.

Steven Barnes was one of the many who arrived home on HMS Ark Royal from the war in Iraq.

Proud mum Sara Foster made the trip to see Steven, her eldest child, step off the ship, on which he had spent the previous 126 days.

She was joined by two of his brothers and one of his sisters for the homecoming.

Stolen

While Steven was away, on Monday, January 13, two men stole a gold bracelet and a Playstation from his room after breaking into the family home.

They were caught and one, Beau Broadhurst, of The Slad, Wilden, was jailed for three years and 11 months after admitting a series of crimes. His accomplice, Lee Sandford, aged 21, of Wiveldon Avenue, Wilden, was given a drug treatment and testing order.

Mrs Foster said she felt an overwhelming sense of relief when she finally caught a glimpse of Steven on board the ship.

"I was frantically looking for him and then suddenly he was there, standing to attention on the side," she said.

"As soon as he got close we all gave him a big hug."

Steven, who is on a fortnight's leave, simply said he was "glad to be back".

Speaking from the family home in Gilgal, he said: "I've really missed my family, my friends and my girlfriend. I'm going to spend as much time as I can with them."

Steven said the experience had only stoked his enthusiasm for the navy life.

"The crew on the ship grew closer than ever," he said. "The war was scary but it's my job and I'm happy to have served my country."