It’s every parents’ worst nightmare to return from a dream holiday to find their home trashed in a wild teenage house party.
That’s exactly what happened to Nicola Kerrison, of Upminster, who found her house in “disarray” after a group of boys crashed her son’s secret house party, stealing £1,000 in cash, a laptop and jewellery.
But their actions have all been caught on camera, as the house is equipped with CCTV cameras inside and out.
Mrs Kerrison’s husband runs a security business and installed the cameras a few years ago, some of which were ripped out during the secret bash.
“There was mess everywhere but it was the smell that got to me,” she said.
The thieves barged into the couple’s bedroom and made off with about £1,000 – their savings from the last six months – including money from her husband’s birthday and holiday and Christmas savings.
All her jewellery was taken, including a pair of Pandora earrings which her parents gave her for her 40th birthday last year.
One of her husband’s belts was also taken and the couple believe this was used to hold up the trousers – weighed down with coins – of one of the thieves.
“The money pots had been smashed on the floor, there were cigarettes burns on the bed and the carpet, stains and chewing gum everywhere,” she said.
“I couldn’t watch all of the CCTV, I found it too traumatic that these boys have come into my bedroom, and went through my own drawers and possessions.”
“The first night we were back we didn’t sleep it was so horrific.”
Her 18-year-old son, who organised the party on Saturday September 24 while the pair were on a 10-day break in Portugal, left a long note apologising.
He explained he secretly had a party which got out of hand when a group of teenagers turned up uninvited.
“He was very sorry about it, but as a parent I was very angry,” she added.
From the CCTV footage, Mrs Kerrison estimated between 40 and 50 youngsters – boys and girls – attended her son’s party.
“Our house is so secure, I didn’t feel it would be a problem if we kept money in pots,” she said.
“Obviously if I had known my son was going to have a party, I would not have left them there.”
Mrs Kerrison knows she might not get the money or jewellery back, but hopes to get an apology from the thieves.
“Morally, that would be the right thing to do. It’s about being responsible for their actions and I hope that they would want to apologise.”
A police investigation is on-going.
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