Special needs family targetted

Fiona Douglas, of Hartswood, said the items taken are vital in caring for her six-year-old son Teigan who has severe learning difficulties and has problems walking and eating.

Car thieves broke into the home around 2am on Saturday and stole the car as well as items that were on her hall table - car keys, purse and mobile phone as well as her engagement ring.

Fiona, a mother of three had got up around 7.30am on Saturday to do her morning run, only to find a door which had been locked the night before, lying ajar.

“I could not believe it,” she said. “I knew something was wrong when I saw the door open.

“My husband is very thorough about checking that all the doors and windows are locked at night so when I saw the door I knew all was not well.”

She soon discovered that thieves had also stolen her £40,000 car as well as a specially adapted seat and buggy used by her son as well along with three months supply of food for Teigan which had been left in the car.

“I just could not believe that someone could get into my house while we slept and then made off with the car,” Fiona said.

“Once the thieves were in the car they would have seen the car was for a special needs child. They clearly don’t care.”

It was later discovered the thieves used a stolen white people carrier during the incident

“Normally my husband and I would sit up late at the weekend and we would have seen or heard something,” said Fiona.

Fiona said that she would like her car and the items returned.

“It is really important that we get these items and the car back,” she said.

“My son needs these and we are lost without them.”

The vehicle that was taken is described as a dark coloured Volvo XC60 with registration plate KRZ 6102.

Fiona praised the police for their actions.

“The police have been great and have kept me up to date with developments,” she said.

Fiona pleaded, “If anyone has any information or saw anything suspicious please get in contact with police at Antrim police station.”