I’m traumatised after armed men in balaclavas tried to break my door down Masked gun thugs laid siege to Lynne’s flat then kicked in her neighbours’ door
A GRAN told yesterday how masked raiders tried to barge into her home before terrorising a young family in another flat.
Lynne Horner said two armed men in balaclavas attempted to force their way into her flat but failed.
The thugs then smashed through the front door of her neighbours, who were asleep with their five-year-old son.
The dad was assaulted by the pair who demanded cash before fleeing empty-handed.
Lynne’s neighbours – a 29-year-old man and 30-yearold woman – have now left the house in Kilmarnock’s Witch Road, saying they are too afraid stay.
Police are investigating the incident, which happened at about 1am on Saturday.
Lynne, 50, said the ordeal had also left her terrified as one of the men appeared to be armed with a gun.
She told the Record: “I was about to go for a bath but looked out the window and saw the two men hanging about outside the block. The next minute, they were walking towards the door and putting on balaclavas.
“I just ran and locked my door as fast as I could.
“I was in a total panic and when I realised they got in the block and were at my door, my heart was in my mouth.
“They kept shouting, saying they were after someone, and I kept saying that there wasn’t anyone of that name here.
“Eventually they went away and that’s when they got the weapon, some sort of gun.
“A few minutes later, I heard almighty banging – which was them kicking in my upstairs neighbour’s door.
“I was terrified, so how the couple felt I can’t imagine.
“To do that with the little one in the house is absolutely disgusting – and then to lay into his dad the way they did just beggars belief.
“The couple were petrified and said they are never coming back to their own home.
“Everyone in the block is just traumatised by this.
“I’ve been here 15 years and never thought anything like this could happen. I’m still in complete shock and haven’t slept since it happened but I know I can’t let them win by leaving – even though my nerves are in tatters.
“It was bad enough they broke in the way they did but the fact a weapon was involved is just petrifying.
“What if I hadn’t managed to lock my door when I did and they got in to my flat? It doesn’t bear thinking about.
“I’m so upset for the young couple too. These thugs were clearly targeting someone but they’ve got the wrong people – the couple and the wee boy are such lovely people.”
Police are trying to find more witnesses to the home invasion and have released descriptions of the suspects.
The first man is 5ft 6in to 5ft 7in, stocky and wore a dark jacket and a balaclava. The second is 6ft, stocky and wore a light jacket and a balaclava.
Detective Chief Inspector Alan Sommerville said: “They may have been in the area before the incident, possibly with a third man. I would ask anyone who may have seen them to get in touch.”
I just ran and locked my door as fast as I could. I was in a total panic GRAN LYNNE