A FAMILY were left devastated when their home was burgled while they were out for Christmas dinner – but kind strangers stepped in to save the day.
Sophie Flowers, 24, her children Harry, two and eight-month-old George, and her partner Shaun Davis had their home ransacked after they went to her dad’s house for dinner on Christmas Day.
When they returned to the house in Ball Green, Stoke-on-Trent, they were shocked to find their home had been burgled.
Among the items taken were an Xbox, two laptops, an electric drill, two money boxes and an iPad.
Sophie’s car, a Vauxhall Corsa, was also stolen.
And the thieves took all of Shaun’s six-year-old daughter Bella’s unopened Christmas presents, which had been left by the tree for her to open when she visited on Boxing Day.
But Christmas was saved when PC Kevin Cook contacted community champion Jason Powner and arranged to collect some replacement presents from his appeal fund.
Police then delivered the presents two days after the burglary took place.
Sophie said: “Bella kept thinking they were Santa’s magic elves. She kept saying how happy she was, it was really nice.
“When she came round on Boxing Day we had to explain that Santa had visited, but some nasty people had come round and taken her presents away. She was devastated.
“We had left the house on Christmas Day to go to my dad’s for Christmas dinner. Then we didn’t get home until about 1.30am. The first thing I noticed was that my car was gone.
“When we went inside some of the children’s presents had been trampled on. My daughter’s presents were still wrapped up, but they had all been taken. The drawers and cupboards were all open and the back door had been kicked in.
“Our bedroom was a mess. Everything had been flung out onto the floor and some of the drawers were broken.
“I was a bit numb at first. It was heartbreaking, one of the worst things you can think of on Christmas Day.”
Every Christmas, kind-hearted tattoo artist Jason, who owns SkinJase in Smallthorne, delivers presents to families in need – including burglary victims.
Sophie added: “When we heard there were a few tears, just because of people being so kind.
“Shaun’s daughter was dancing round all day. She used to be a bit scared of the police – she thought they took you away if you were naughty – but now she loves police officers.”
PC Cook said: “Two people have since been arrested and released on bail pending further investigations. We’ve also been able to recover the car.
“I’ve been working with Jason for the last couple of years on his Christmas appeal and this year it is bigger and better than ever. It’s all down to his hard work.
“Over the last few years we’ve had a few burglaries at Christmas and there’s no better time to give presents back. As long as there are disadvantaged people out there we’ll keep doing it.”
This year Jason delivered 2,500 gift wrapped presents to 87 families – visiting many homes personally on Christmas Day.
Jason, 49, from Burslem, said: “There were a couple of families who were burgled on Christmas Eve as well. It happens every year. You are always going to get wrong-doers but it’s nice to be able to give people presents.
“I enjoy it, it’s what Christmas is all about.”
