Mum’s horror after thieves raided her home and stole her children’s Christmas presents while she was in LABOUR
Thieves even rifled through the baby cot as they ransacked a devastated family's home
A MUM has described her trauma after thieves raided her home and stole all of her children's Christmas presents while she was in labour.
Kelly Renton, 28, had been rushed into hospital after going into labour with her first baby with partner Michael Jackson.
When her contractions slowed a little, Michael ducked back home for a change of clothes - discovering their home had been trashed by Christmas thieves.
The baby's first Christmas stocking, filled with gifts, had been stolen, as well as all the gifts under the tree.
Even more terrifying is Michael's belief that he had disturbed the thieves as he rattled his front door which had been blocked by a metal bar.
Kelly, from Oldham, said: “The burglars were probably in the house when Michael got home. I kept thinking they could have hurt him or even killed him.
"What kind of people rob a house before Christmas? They had even rifled through the baby's cot and pram."
She said she was left "panic-stricken" at the thought their home had been torn apart, adding: "The midwives were trying to keep me calm so that the baby wasn’t affected but it was really hard.
"Michael had to make the house secure before he came back to the hospital and so I had to go through the labour on my own for a while.
"Luckily he made it back in time. But it was horrendous. We should have been looking forward to our new baby – instead we were worrying about the burglary."
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Kelly had the added burden of a traumatic pregnancy, needing emergency surgery for a burst ovarian cyst after being induced on November 30.
Despite suffering from an internal bleed and needing blood transfusions, Kelly delivered baby Noah safe and well on December 6.
Michael, 37, said he had hoped to barely be away from Kelly's side but was left confused when he couldn't get in through his front door.
He said: "I couldn’t work it out. I just kept pushing. I began to panic, thinking there was someone behind the door.
"It was only after I really shoved the door that it gave way and I realised there was a metal bar wedged behind it."
Finally getting in, he found Christmas presents for the couple's children from previous relationships - Lewis, 14, and Baily eight, missing. A Go-Pro camera, Lego sets, a remote control drone, PS4 games, a scooter, a bike, clothing, trainers, perfumes, make-up and clothing had all gone.
Michael's wallet and bank cards had also vanished.
He said: "I was in shock. There were no presents left under the tree. I was devastated.
"The TV was still there and though the Play Station had gone, the lead was still there. It made me think that the thieves had probably left in a big hurry – and that I had disturbed them when I came home."
He added: "It was quite terrifying to think that their metal bar might have been used to keep me quiet."
Forced to stay in to secure the family's home until his dad and sister arrived to help, Michael was finally able to head back to the hospital to be with Kelly.
Kelly said: "The midwives were warning that I had to stay calm for the baby’s sake but it was really difficult. I kept worrying that they might come back for the rest of the stuff.
"I wasn’t so bothered about the material things. But I was devastated that the children’s presents had gone – and that they had rifled through our belongings."
She said many of her belongings were left strewn across the couple's home and garden.
She said: "It was sickening that someone could stoop so low."
But Michael was able to see his son's arrival, with Noah weighing 7lbs 13ozs, perfectly healthy.
Kelly said: "Noah made us realise what is important – and that’s family, not presents.
"This little boy has brought so many smiles and taken our minds off the nightmare.
"We will enjoy Christmas – no matter what.”
Greater Manchester Police confirmed they were called to reports of a man unable to get into his house at 8.55pm due to a metal bar obstructing his front door.
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