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Raid at Man Utd footballer's home Knife raid at footballer's home
(about 8 hours later)
Two women were held at knifepoint in a raid on the home of Manchester United star Darren Fletcher. The fiancee of Manchester United star Darren Fletcher and her mother were held at knifepoint in a raid at the footballer's home.
Three men forced open the door of the house in Bowdon, Greater Manchester, on Monday night and threatened the women by holding knives to their throats.Three men forced open the door of the house in Bowdon, Greater Manchester, on Monday night and threatened the women by holding knives to their throats.
Fletcher, 25, lives with his partner and two-year-old twin sons, who were at home at the time. Fletcher, 25, lives with Hayley Grice and their two-year-old twin sons.
The Scotland player is in Italy and is one of several players to be burgled while away from home with their clubs.The Scotland player is in Italy and is one of several players to be burgled while away from home with their clubs.
Police said three men kicked open the front door and went into the living room, where they demanded one of the women take off her engagement ring. Police said three men kicked open the front door and went into the living room, where they demanded Miss Grice take off her engagement ring.
She handed it over, but was grabbed by one of the gang by her hair and had a knife held to her throat.The gang kicked down the front door of the houseShe handed it over, but was grabbed by one of the gang by her hair and had a knife held to her throat.The gang kicked down the front door of the house
Another robber grabbed the second woman and also threatened her with a knife. Another robber grabbed Miss Grice's mother and also threatened her with a knife.
The couple's children were at home at the time of the raid.
The gang went through the £50,000-a-week player's house, raiding rooms and snatching property. Jewellery and watches were stolen.The gang went through the £50,000-a-week player's house, raiding rooms and snatching property. Jewellery and watches were stolen.
A woman at the house called the police at about 2100 GMT, but the burglars had left by the time officers arrived. One of the women called the police at about 2100 GMT, but the burglars had left by the time officers arrived.
Sgt Phil Seeley of Trafford's Crime Team said: "This was a terrifying attack for the victims who were at home. Sgt Phil Seeley, of Trafford's Crime Team, said: "This was a terrifying attack for the victims who were at home.
"Luckily the children didn't see anything and nobody was hurt. We are appealing to anyone with information around this crime."Luckily the children didn't see anything and nobody was hurt. We are appealing to anyone with information around this crime.
"Maybe you saw a car driving away from this area at speed, or maybe somebody you know was bragging about or planning this.""Maybe you saw a car driving away from this area at speed, or maybe somebody you know was bragging about or planning this."
Forensic workForensic work
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said scenes of crime officers had been called to the house and inquiries were continuing. A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said scenes of crime officers had been called at the house and inquiries were continuing.
Bowdon is on the Greater Manchester and Cheshire border and is home to several multi-millionaire footballers.Bowdon is on the Greater Manchester and Cheshire border and is home to several multi-millionaire footballers.
The Merseyside home of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was targeted while he was away with the club, and several of his colleagues have been the target of burglaries.The Merseyside home of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was targeted while he was away with the club, and several of his colleagues have been the target of burglaries.
Fletcher, who has made 200 appearances for United since making his debut in March 2003, is thought to be the first Manchester United player to fall victim to such a burglary.Fletcher, who has made 200 appearances for United since making his debut in March 2003, is thought to be the first Manchester United player to fall victim to such a burglary.
The club are preparing to take on Inter Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday evening in a crucial Champions League match.The club are preparing to take on Inter Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday evening in a crucial Champions League match.