Thieves try to tie up one-year-old baby during raid

THIEVES tried to tie up a one-year-old baby girl during a robbery in Co Armagh, police said.

The armed gang bound a mother and her seven-year-old son with masking tape during a raid at their home on Sheetrim Road, Middletown, at around 8pm on Saturday.

The three intruders, two bearing handguns, also tried to tie up the one-year-old girl before escaping with a small sum of cash.

The woman’s partner freed her a short time afterwards when he returned home. The victims were shocked but unharmed.

Local SDLP councillor Gerald Mallon said: “She is shocked and annoyed but quite resilient. I was surprised with how well she coped with it.

“The first thing she thought of was the safety of her children and it is a relief that they are unhurt.

“They ransacked the house and said they were looking for money and bank information. They were in the house half an hour and left with them tied up.”

The assailants struck in an area outside the village where there are few houses.

“News of this robbery has sent shock waves through the entire community in Middletown and surrounding areas,” Mr Mallon added.

“Those responsible are clearly dangerous and have no respect for human life whatsoever.”

Sinn Féin Assembly member Pat O’Rawe, who lives in Middletown, said she was disgusted. “To put young children and people through an ordeal like that is disgraceful and I would urge people to be vigilant, especially those living on their own and those with young children,” she said.