A RUGBY club boss whose Frodsham home was hit by armed raiders praised his cool-headed wife for keeping their young son calm during their ordeal.
A gang of four thieves who brandished crowbars and knives held Widnes Vikings chairman Steve O’Connor and his family hostage, stealing £25,000 in jewellery and £500 cash.
They tied up Mr O’Connor, his son Stevie, four, and wife Clare after bursting in through the front door.
He said the thugs dragged the youngster out of bed and bound them all before ransacking the home the family has lived in for 15 years.
Mr O’Connor, who runs a haulage company said: “My wife showed the presence of mind to tell him it was all just a game.
“It’s easy to be hard using weapons, and to involve my little boy was callous and unacceptable. ”
A number of high profile North West sporting stars have had their properties raided in recent months but Mr O’Connor believes the gang who attacked his home were opportunists.
He added: "I don't think that I was targeted, as everyone that knows me knows I don't usually carry cash on me, as I work in an industry that doesn't generate cash and that was all they were after.
"They seemed ill-prepared, their movements appeared to confuse one another and the evidence suggests they just took a punt on a property they thought would contain some cash.
"They stole £500 cash and a few trinkets and I hope they were disappointed with their haul.
Mr O'Connor hopes the culprits can be tracked down through the movement of the stolen property.
He added: “The stolen items had sentimental value, but at one point I didn’t think we were going to get out alive, so I don’t really give a monkeys about them.
“I just hope they can be used to help the police to apprehend these robbers and prevent them from striking again as I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”
Police are calling on anyone with information or who witnessed anyone acting suspiciously to call 0845 458 0000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
