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Knife raid at footballer's home | |
(about 8 hours later) | |
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 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 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 house | 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 house |
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. |
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. | |
"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 work | Forensic work |
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. |