Couple barricaded in home as prized Escort stolen

PRIDE and joy: Jason’s restored 1970 Escort

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Thieves barricaded a couple in their home and forced another car out of the way into the road during an early- morning raid to steal a rare classic car.

Devastated Jason Brierley is now calling on Chronicle readers to rally to his rescue and help him trace his stolen pride and joy — a Mk 1 Ford Escort imported from Austria five years ago as a TV prop..

The determined thieves went to a lot of trouble to snatch the distinctive £10,000 classic from his drive in Cooper Street, Springhead, last Friday morning.

First they broke into his girlfriend Katie Madeley’s car, parked behind the Escort, and pushed it into the road. They then jammed the couple’s front door so they couldn’t run out.

Jason says he will offer a substantial reward for the return of the car.

“I’m very upset — not because of the money, but because the car is irreplacable,” said Jason (40), a mechanic at Woodend MOT Centre.

“I spent three and a half years looking for it, as there are so few left. I’ve made a lot of the spare parts for it myself.

“It is distinctive — beige with a matt black bonnet and left-hand drive. I’m hoping someone may have seen it after it was stolen and I’m prepared to offer a very decent reward to anyone who can help me find it.

“My first car was a MK1 Ford Escort which is why I wanted another, I spent a lot of time looking for it and now this.”

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said inquiries were ongoing and anyone with information should call 0800 555 111.