THE dad of a nine-year-old birthday boy has slammed the ‘hideous’ criminal who sneaked into the family home to steal his birthday money.

The cash, given as presents by friends and family, was snatched from a shelf holding around 50 birthday cards from the address off Burtonwood Road, Great Sankey.

Paul Clegg, aged 49, his wife, and two sons, aged 17 and nine, were asleep in the house at the time.

He said: “The worst thing is, you can replace items, and although I have managed my son’s disappointment over his birthday money, it would have been obvious to anyone it wasn’t every day cash, it belonged to a nine-year-old celebrating his birthday.

“At that age, cards tend to have your age on.

“It’s very callous, whoever did it doesn’t have a conscience.

“It’s a pretty hideous crime for anybody to suffer, especially when the victim is a child.”

Cheshire Police are investigating the incident. It happened overnight on Sunday, June 22.

A grey, metallic HP laptop, and two digital cameras, made by Olympus and Fuji Film, were stolen, in addition to the cash.

One of the cameras also belonged to Mr Clegg’s youngest son.

He added: “Someone coming into your house when you’re asleep upstairs is a pretty upsetting thought, and not something you want to think about.”

DC Alex Reeves, of the Warrington Proactive Unit, is investigating the burglary.

He is urging residents to ensure homes are kept secure to help avoid break-ins.

“Can anybody who may have information about this crime or who may have been offered any of the listed items for sale please contact Warrington Proactive CID on 101,” said DC Reeves.

“Additionally, please can all residents be reminded of the need to check ground floor doors and windows are locked and secure at night before going to bed.”