Thieves stole gran’s Christmas cash box

Annie Haughian told the Mail how she went out for a couple of hours on a Tuesday a fortnight ago and returned home to discover she had been burgled.

Mrs Haughian, who has heart problems, said she tripped on something in the hall before she managed to get the light on and when she did finally turn it on, she was shocked to find the house turned upside down. “I opened the door, threw my bag on the chair and tripped over something,” she said.

Mrs Haughian said all the drawers in her dressing table had been riffled through and pulled out. A jewellery box in her bedroom had been searched and gold chains and other pieces stolen.

She revealed that she had been collecting £2 coins in a tin to help her pay for Christmas presents for her grandchildren. The callous thieves had stolen all the money.

And she said her daughter Liz had given her 265 euros she had left over from a trip abroad so her mum could use them on a holiday to Bray. However the burglars took that as well.

Mrs Haughian said it must have happened some time between 5.30pm and 11.30pm on Tuesday, October 15. Since then her son has changed the locks and added more bolts to make her feel safe.

The grandmother also said the thieves had pulled the curtains in her house to hide what they were doing. She also lost another box of coins, full of 10ps, 5ps and coppers for charity.

“Thank God nothing was broken,” she said. “You never think it is going to happen to you.” She said her family have offered to take turns staying with her. “It was an awful shock. I just stood there looking at all this saying ‘What am I going to do?’ I rang my son Laurence and he came straight away. The police were there immediately. They were very good. But the forensic people said they must have worn gloves as they couldn’t find any fingerprints.”

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police in Lurgan are investigating a burglary at a property in the Manor Park area on Tuesday, October 15. It was reported that sometime between 5.30pm and 11.30pm a house in the area was entered. A sum of cash and a number of items of jewellery were taken during the incident.

“Police have appealed for anyone with information to contact them at Lurgan Police Station on 0845 600 8000. Or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”