Burglars net presents haul

A family's Christmas has been ruined by ruthless burglars after they stole Christmas presents and property worth £2,000 while their victims slept just metres away.

Devastated 67-year-old pensioner Brian Richards, who lives in Brindley Road, Hednesford, had been looking forward to Christmas with his son and daughter-in-law who have come from Australia to be with him.

Now he is facing a bleak December 25 after the burglars stole cash the former lorry driver had been hoping to use to buy Christmas presents. As well as the cash and presents, the crooks got away with a laptop computer, a digital camera, a mobile phone and sentimental jewellery dating from 40 years ago.

The thieves struck sometime before 4am yesterday.

Mr Richards told the Express & Star: "This has really knocked me back.

"I don't usually keep that kind of money in the house but I was going to use it to buy presents for the children. It has ruined Christmas for me."

His daughter-in-law Helen Herrgard, 34, discovered the break-in after waking up hearing her young baby crying.

She said: "We were sleeping just two metres away and we never heard a thing. They even put the light on."

Brian's partner Kathleen Herzberg said: "Why can't these people get a job like the rest of us?"

A second house in Sunrise Hill was also targeted by burglars who made off with several wrapped presents, plus a purse and mobile phone, the night before.

Cannock police Inspector Mat Derrick said: "The warning is simple, make sure your Christmas presents are somewhere safe."

By Shaun Lintern