A disabled dad has spoken of his terror after masked men held him at knifepoint before ransacking his home in front of his two young children.
Former Royal Engineers solider Christopher Richardson was at his flat on Outram Street, in central Stockton, on Saturday, when two men wearing tights over their heads burst through the door and demanded money shortly after 7pm.
Shocked and terrified for the safety of his children, Ellie, 10, and seven-year-old Lily, Christopher pleaded with the thieves to leave.
“I had just got out the bath and put a DVD on for the kids when I heard the door bell go,” said Christopher, 50.
“I’d usually go to the window to see who it was but the kids were expecting their mum so I went down to open the door.
“But as soon as I clicked the handle they burst in and completely steamed over me. They dragged me to the ground shouting for money, then one of them sat on me and put a knife to my neck.
“I kept shouting that my kids were upstairs, I was begging them to leave but one of them flew up the stairs.”
His children were playing in the living room when they were faced with one of the intruders who was also carrying a knife.
Christopher, who suffers from severe arthritis and is registered disabled, said the next few minutes he endured were “utter hell”.
He said: “I was petrified for the girls. They look at me as their protector and here I was pinned down on the ground with a knife to my neck, completely helpless.”
The thief ransacked the flat before taking a blue Acer tablet computer and a red and black Nintento DS3 console - two of the girls’ Christmas presents.
Christopher, said: “I couldn’t see what he was doing but I could hear him rummaging about. Lily asked him who he was but he shouted at her to stay where she was.
“Ellie hid behind the door and watched him pick up her computer and take it. I can’t get my head around the fact that he did that in front of the kids. ”
As the thug left the room, the girls ran out on the landing and to their horror saw their dad being held to the ground.
“The men still had their blades out and I was being threatened not to move,” said Christopher.
“When the girls saw me they were hysterical. They were both screaming and crying.”
The thieves made off on push bikes across Yarm Road into Leybourn Terrace.
“The man finally let go of me and I tried to grab him, but both of them managed to get away.
“It was utter hell, but now as the shock is wearing off, I am just angry.”
The children’s mum, Eileen, 47, went out the following day to replace the stolen items. A £500 reward has also been put out by a family friend to catch those responsible.
Christopher added: “We didn’t want the girls to suffer because of what happened so the items have been replaced. The kids are terrified when it comes to going to bed now, they don’t want to be left alone.
“They are quiet but I think they are in shock.”
Police are now appealing for information and witnesses.
A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: “Detectives would appeal for any witnesses to the incident or anyone with information about the identity of the suspects or about the whereabouts of the stolen property to come forward.
“The suspects are described as aged 25-30 years old and they were wearing dark clothing.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Kenneth Clark on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
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