Footballer’s home raided

Dec 4 2008 by Oliver Clay, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

RAM-RAIDERS burst through the gates of a Liverpool FC footballer’s Hale Village mansion in the early hours of Monday in an attempted burglary.

Jermaine Pennant said a loud bang woke him and fiancee Amii Grove at 1.40am. The raiders had left when he went downstairs to investigate.

A stolen green Land Rover was set on fire and then extinguished by Widnes firefighters in Ramsbrook Lane, Hale, at 1.52am, is thought to have been the vehicle used by the criminals.

The car was stolen in North Wales on Sunday evening.

Pennant, 25, is the ninth Liverpool player to be targeted by criminals in the last two years. He said: “It was scary. We were woken up by a huge bang and went downstairs and they were trying to get in. We’re just glad we are okay.”

A Cheshire Police spokesman said: “Widnes SIU is investigating the incident.”

Anyone with information can call Cheshire Police on 0845 4580000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.