THE son of a Wrexham pensioner who was the victim of a burglary has described his mother as a ‘tough old bird’ for the strength she showed during the ordeal.

Benny Horton was allegedly threatened in her bed by the masked men involved in the incident at her home in Marford Hill.

The men who broke in attempted to steal her car and made off with around £200 in cash.

The 84-year-old awoke when she heard the sound of smashed glass at 3.30am on Monday morning (November 23).

According to her son, Phil Horton, she attempted to phone the police but the thieves ran in and “grabbed the phone off her” before smashing it to bits.

Phil says that, in early October, he himself had been staying at his mum’s house and had caught people trying to open the back door.

That time, they had been deterred by the sensors and security lights placed outside the home.

However, when they returned this week, his mother had ‘heard men shouting’ before they entered her house.

Speaking to The Leader, Phil said: “It was as if they knew exactly where to go in the house to find what they wanted. 

“Mum picked up the phone, which is next to her bed, to ring the police. As she did that, they ran in and grabbed the phone off her, threw it at the wall and it smashed into bits.

“They were then emptying all the drawers and shouting at mum to get them some money.

“They didn’t touch or hurt her but threatened her but they made off with around £200 and they have taken a passport, driving licence, all her bank cards, her mobile phone - the lot.”

Mr Horton says they then attempted to steal his mum’s Vauxhall Zafira car.
He added: “They drove it onto the lawn and then left the car there. It rolled back down the drive and now its damaged.

“They must have panicked at that point as they didn’t get away with the car.”
North Wales Police have taken the car away for their investigation.

Mr Horton said: “She’s acting as though nothing has happened to be honest. I think maybe it will take time to sink in for her. She’s come out of this fighting, she’s a tough old bird.

“She was lucky and was not hurt by the individuals that broke in but the next old lady may not be. Although we have them on camera at her house it looks like they parked down Hoseley Lane. Please if anyone down there has CCTV cameras please contact the police.”

North Wales Police are appealing for information about the crime.

A statement from the force read: “We received a call at 3.24 am this morning (Monday), reporting an attempted burglary at an address in Marford.

“Officers attended and our investigations are currently ongoing.”