'I thought armed robbers were going to rape me in front of my young daughters'

Stacey Tomlinson has spoken for the first time about her 'unimaginable trauma'

A distraught mum has revealed the horrifying moment she thought two armed robbers were going to rape her in front of her young children.

Stacey Tomlinson has spoken for the first time about the “unimaginable trauma” she has suffered since her Bolton home was targeted by thieves.

She was alone with her daughters, now aged four and 10-months-old, when the nightmare unfolded. 

Two men knocked at the door at around 9.15am claiming they were called by Stacey’s partner to look at the gutters. 

Despite being unaware of the call, Stacey opened the door as she felt she was being rude by talking through the window. They then forced their way into the house and one grabbed her by the neck. 

She was marched into the living room and ordered her to sit on the sofa.

As her children started to cry, she told them the men had been sent to help pick out Christmas presents in a bid to keep them calm.

Both men, one holding a handgun, ransacked the house while ushering Stacey around with them. They stole more than £100,000 worth of goods – including her £45,000 engagement ring – before leading her upstairs.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News for the first time about the incident, which happened in November, the 35-year-old said: “One guy had me downstairs and the other was upstairs, I thought, ‘What else do they want me for?'

“All I thought was I was going to get raped. I sent my daughter into the bedroom; she was a month away from being four and I didn’t want her to see it. 

“I just didn’t want her to see the absolute terror I was going to endure. I asked her to play in her room. 

“While it was happening, I just kept with the role play, telling them to look for what they wanted for Christmas. 

“Even when they were leaving, I made it out like we were saying bye to them.

“The chilling thing is, he kept touching her hair and face. 

“You don’t even think about yourself. All I was focused on was that she was protected.” 

Stacey revealed the ordeal has left her family so traumatised, they have all slept in the same room since November in fear thieves will strike again.

“I feel broken and unsafe in my own home,” she continued. 

“As much as I’m cracking on, I don’t think it will ever really leave me. I panic in every situation. I dream about it and go through scenarios. 

“If I have a car behind me for a period of time, I think they’re following me.

“I was told I couldn’t have babies and my eldest was born on Christmas Day, she is my world. 

“To be in that position with her there... I'm thankful she wasn’t physically harmed. Physiologically, it’s had an effect on them. 

“The eldest doesn’t like seeing builders when they’re wearing masks and hats, she panics. 

“Even when I leave the house with them, everything scares me now, even if we're just out and someone will take them for an ice-cream only 100 metres away.

“I feel like I will never really get over what they did.” 

Peter Paradi, 44, has since been jailed for 15 years for the robbery. 

Paradi, who was born in Hungary and also lived in the USA, was already wanted for a number of offences in  Bolton,  Bury,  Middleton, Liverpool, and Northwich. 

He pleaded guilty to one count of robbery, 11 counts of burglary, four counts of attempted burglary, and one count of making off without payment. 

The second man is yet to be brought to justice.