Chilling video footage has captured the moment a knifeman wandered into a family’s living room while the homeowner was asleep on the sofa. The CCTV footage shows Jason Skilling, 53, asleep in his living room at his home in Chadderton when the masked man enters the room, wielding a large blade.
The video shows the man look over at Jason, before he looks at the camera to adjust his balaclava. Jason's wife, Adelle, 56, was asleep upstairs at the time and says the incident, which happened on Monday (August 8), has left her upset and scared.
Adelle's daughter Ashleigh Jones said: "My mum had checked the cameras that they have in the house to watch their pets while they are out. She had seen a guy walking around the front room with a massive knife, whilst my stepdad was asleep on the chair.
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"It is really scary, my mum is really upset by it. She keeps thinking, what if we did wake up. She doesn't sleep very well, so sometimes she goes downstairs at 3am and has a cup of tea."
Ashleigh, 33, said the family have been affected by the intrusion at their Oldham home and her six-year-old son has also become scared as a result. "They are checking the cameras all the time and making sure everything is working,” she said.
"When they lock up at night, my mum is making sure that everything is locked up when she goes to bed. My six-year-old son is terrified, he keeps mentioning it and calling the guy a serial killer, because he has a knife. My first thought when I saw the video was, what if Jason would have woken up.”
Ashleigh said the family do not believe anything was stolen during the incident but have ramped up security as a result. "It's all so worrying knowing that that person was there,” she added. "It is wild when you think that somebody has been in a house like that, so close to you.”
Ashleigh said the family wanted to share the chilling footage to warn people about keeping their doors open during the hot weather. She explained: "I'm sharing what has happened because it's hot, and I know so many people who leave their windows open, stay up late at night and then fall asleep on the sofa.
"There is elderly people who get up at 3am sometimes and they will go out into the garden. It is so dangerous now, you are not safe in your own home.”
Greater Manchester Police said they are investigating two attempted aggravated burglaries in Chadderton, close to Stirling Road, on August 8. Initial enquiries suggest that a man has gained access to properties and had been walking throughout the houses in the area, using a knife to promote fear.
Detective Sergeant Matthew Adshead, of GMP’s Oldham district, said: “Thankfully, no one has been injured, but it is understandable that people in the community are worried for the security of their homes. Our investigation into this incident is ongoing and officers are appealing for anyone with information or CCTV footage that could help us with our inquiries.”
Anyone with information should contact officers on 0161 856 4521. Information can also be shared anonymously by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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