Kindhearted readers offer to help mum who stole a toy for son
A HARD-UP mum caught shoplifting a birthday present for her fiveyear-old son has been inundated with offers of help.
Laura Waterhouse, a single mother-of-three, is £30,000 in debt and lives in a damp and mouldy council house in Stockerhead Lane, Slaithwaite.
The 31-year-old was on her way to Huddersfield Methodist Mission to get help when she decided to steal from a discount store so her eldest boy could have something to open on his birthday.
Laura was still feeling raw on January 17 after a depressing Christmas when she couldn’t afford to buy any more than some very basic presents for her kids.
Earlier this week she pleaded guilty to theft at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court in Huddersfield town centre and told to pay a £20 surcharge.
Our story provoked a huge outpouring of goodwill towards the beleaguered mum with dozens of people contacting ExaminerLive demanding to know how they could help, with several people suggesting the possibility of setting up a GoFundme link.
On our Facebook page Gwen Jeffrey wrote: “I’d happily donate some gifts to her and her family,” while Wendy Booth added: “Brian Jackson House might have been able to help her if only she knew. Poor soul I hope her life has got better and easier.”
And Anne-Marie expressed the thoughts of many when she wrote: “Poor lass, she was only doing what most mums do, beg steal or borrow. When it comes to your kids you have no pride.”
Janet Omelia said: “Now this just breaks my heart,” and Scott Thornton wrote: “Would be happy to give her little lad some toys as we don’t have much money ourselves.”
Mo Ali was anxious for a GoFundMe link to be set up immediately saying: “£20 victim surcharge?
“She can’t even afford toys for her kids so where the hell will she get that from?
“She needs a go fund me set up for her the fine is pathetic she can’t afford it when she’s already 30k in debt.”