Raiders strike as mum gives birth

SHOCKED . . . (from left) Lewis Jackson, new baby Noah Jackson, mum Kelly Renton, Baily Jackson and dad Michael Jackson

A MUM was "dragged through a nightmare" after thieves raided her baby's cot and stole her children's Christmas presents while she was in labour.

Kelly Marie Renton (28) was left distraught after thugs ransacked her home as she and her partner awaited the arrival of their bundle of joy.

The couple, of Rochdale Road, are now celebrating the arrival of their newborn baby Noah and hoping for a better Christmas. Partner of six years Michael Jackson (37) had gone to the Royal Oldham Hospital with Kelly when her waters broke at around 11am last Monday.

But when he returned to their Royton home in the afternoon to get dressed and drop their children off with relatives he found the place "trashed."

Michael said: "My head was all over the place. I was still in baby labour mode.

"I couldn't believe it was happening.

"They'd wedged a metal bar behind the door so I couldn't get in, they'd been in my kids' rooms, all the cupboards were open and the back door was smashed.

"It was horrendous.

"We had made sure everything was sorted and ready for the new baby coming."

Miss Renton said on social media: "While I was in hospital some evil dirty low life burgled my home and took my kids' Christmas presents and ransacked my home.

"We are absolutely distraught.

"It's meant to be one of the happiest times of our life.

"They had clearly been watching the house.

"All I can think about is my kids."

Heartless thieves had raided Noah's cot and stolen Christmas presents bought for Michael's son from a previous relationship Lewis (14) and Kelly's son from a previous relationship Baily (8).

They snatched a PS4, helicopter drone, GoPro camera, LEGO Ninjago sets, a Stone Island tracksuit, North Face tracksuit and three tablets among other items.

Family members were appalled at the police's slow response to the incident after Michael called them just before 9pm after returning home.

Kelly's sister-in-law Laura Jackson said: "I'm more annoyed at the police than anything else - they didn't come out for 13 hours.

"We are all sickened and upset by it.

"Kelly had gone into hospital to bring a new baby into the world.

"My brother worked 150 hours extra so they could have a nice Christmas.

"For the police to say they could not send anyone even though my brother had told them his wife was in labour is disgusting.

"We hope someone might know something."

General labourer at a Chadderton firm Michael said: "Under the circumstances I thought they would come out.

"I know they are short-staffed but I told them my partner was in hospital and could be giving birth to my son at any minute.

"They asked me to stay at home and secure my house.

"It was distressing."

The arrival of their "beautiful baby boy" Noah on Wednesday night, just two days after the incident, has turned the couples' sorrow into "huge joy."

Michael said: "We will get through it.

"Noah is taking our mind off it so we have to pick up from here."

Kelly said on Facebook: "He weighed in at 7.13oz. We are all absolutely over the moon.

"This little boy has brought so many smiles to our family and taken our minds off the nightmare we had at the start of the week.

"It's onwards and upwards now."

Greater Manchester Police confirmed they were called to reports of a man unable to get into his house at 8.55pm due to a metal bar obstructing his front door.

A spokesman said: "The man noticed the TV cabinet door had been opened and it was visible someone had disturbed it.

"He found the rear door had been forced."