Couple’s ordeal as burglars smash into their home

ORDEAL: Kay Warburton inside her house which was targeted by burglars

A couple in their 60s had to barricade themselves in their bathroom in fear when burglars smashed their way into their home.

A car and treasured possessions were taken - and the couple were left furious by attack on their home.

Bill Warburton (61), of Chadderton Fold, woke yesterday morning at around 4.30am and went downstairs to make a drink. He went into the lounge to watch the football highlights, then heard a bang.

His wife, Kay (65), said: “He could see there was someone outside, and a ski mask. They were banging on the door with what he thought was a sledgehammer.

“He was screaming at the burglars to go away. He told me to phone the police because he thought they had weapons, but then we heard a smash in the lounge — a brick had been thrown through the window.

“Then the window by the door went through. We ran upstairs and locked ourselves in the shower room and phoned police.

“When they arrived we thought the house would be ransacked, but all they had taken was electronic devices and my daughter’s car.

“It was only when we started looking around we realised they must have been using flowerpots to try and get in, not a sledgehammer.”

The couple were disgusted by the attack: “I want to know what makes them think they can come into our home and take whatever they want,” said Kay. “These are things we have worked our entire life to have. Our family has owned this plot of land for 200 years.

“I’m not someone who gets frightened but last night I was terrified. But I’m not going to let them get us down.”

Police are investigating.