A CHRISTMAS NIGHTMARE
Scrooge thieves steal festive gifts
A Rutherglen grandmother was left devastated when callous thieves broke into her house and stole Christmas presents meant for her family.
Catherine Kirk (62) returned to her Burnhill home from a friend’s wedding in the early hours of Sunday morning to find her front door wide open and the lock broken.
When she entered her house, she discovered thieves had taken a number of items.
Among them were presents for her grandsons, Josh (12), and Reece (1). The raiders also took jewellery given to her by her grandmother and mother.
Most of the presents were meant for Josh, who is a pupil at Cathkin High. They included a mobile phone, computer games, men’s bath and body gift sets and en electric toothbrush.
Catherine, who worked as a cleaner at Bankhead and Burnside Primary schools, said: “It sickens me, the thought of someone in my house. I’ve been here over 40 years and never had any bother. There are so many things going through my mind.”
“It’s awful this kind of thing has happened. There are elderly folk on their own this could happen to. The doors aren’t secure, I had to get the emergency joiner out and I can’t sleep in my bedroom at the moment.”
Catherine left the house at 12.30pm on Saturday ( December 5) to attend the wedding of a friend’s daughter.
Catherine admitted losing her family jewellery was particularly upsetting, adding: “This stuff doesn’t have a value. It can’t be replaced. It all had sentimental value. There were items I received on my 18th and 21st birthdays and rings that belonged to my mother and grandmother.”
PC Greg Roberton of Rutherglen Police said: “A report of theft by housebreaking in Newfield Place, Rutherglen, was received by police in the early hours of Sunday morning.
He said: “Officers attended and noted details for a crime report, to which they are currently investigating.
“Amongst items stolen were a quantity of Christmas gifts. This heartless crime will not be tolerated in our community and local officers will do everything in their power to arrest the individual responsible.”
He added: “If you have purchased Christmas gifts, make sure you don’t leave them near windows or doors.
“If you have a house alarm, please use it as it will act as a deterrent to thieves. If you observe anyone suspicious in your area contact us on 101 and officers will be more than happy to attend and investigate.”