Safety locks prevented the would-be burglars from gaining entry — but Mrs Don collapsed as she waited with her son David, who lives with her, for police to arrive.

She was taken to Ninewells Hospital by ambulance at around 3am, but did not recover.

Today her youngest son Jimmy told the Evening Telegraph he blamed the incident for his mother’s death.

“It’s sickening to think someone could be walking the streets not knowing the serious consequences of his actions,” he said.

“I hope it’s on their conscience because I’m one hundred percent certain it was the cause of my mother’s death.”

Jimmy said his mother’s house had been the subject of break-in attempts recently, and the family had installed safety locks to try to prevent it happening again.

However, he said his mother was of a “worrying” nature and the stress was too much for her.

Originally from Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Mrs Don settled in Broughty Ferry with her husband Thomas after they married.

The couple were among the first tenants to move into the homes in the ‘Dales’ area of Downfield 56 years ago.

They had nine children, four of whom still live in Dundee. Mr Don died five years ago.