Teenagers Break In And Steal £7000 From Terminally Ill Disabled Woman Who Was Saving For Her Own Funeral

Teenage thugs burst into a terminally ill mum’s home and stole £7,000 cash she had been saving for her own funeral.

Michelle Goodhall, 35, was left terrified after the callous youths barged into her house and found the cash she had been keeping in a safe in her bedroom.

And less than 48 hours later, terrified Mrs Goodall was targeted AGAIN when intruders once again broke in – this time grabbing her by the head before fleeing empty-handed.

Police are now investigating the double attack on Mrs Goodall – who was told she has less than 12 months to live because of respiratory problems earlier this year. 

She told the Huddersfield Examiner: “The first time it happened was on Thursday night. I was in the downstairs toilet and I heard someone come in through the door and go straight upstairs.

“My husband John had just popped out to pick up a takeaway and I thought it was my daughter and a friend. Suddenly I heard this tremendous crashing and banging.

“I was scared it was a burglar and I heard them come back down and head to the kitchen, then I heard plates being smashed on the floor.

“I was terrified as I was home alone.

“Later we found out that £7,000 we’ve saved for my funeral was taken – I haven’t got longer than 12 months.”

Mrs Goodall’s prognosis came six months ago when doctors performed a double lung transplant.

Husband John said the operation went wrong and now his wife’s airways are slowly shutting down, leaving her almost entirely wheelchair bound and on oxygen. 

John, 61, who is a full-time carer, said: “On Thursday night I went out to pick some food up from a local takeaway.

“Michelle had been in the toilet under the stairs when she heard people come in. She heard banging before they came downstairs and threw plates and a bowl of fruit in the kitchen before leaving.

“They were in and out within a few minutes but it was a terrifying ordeal. She rang me and my daughter and we alerted the police straight away.

“I later noticed that a case I kept on top of my wardrobe in our room had been opened and the cash we kept inside was gone.”

A camcorder was also taken in the raid on the Goodhall’s family home in Dewsbury.

Thinking the ordeal was over, the family were targeted again when two thugs returned to the house on Saturday morning, grabbing Michelle’s head and slamming her against the wall before leaving empty-handed.

John added: “We couldn’t say if it was the same people, but if it was I presume they were returning to take more of our possessions.

“It all happened so quickly but she was left shocked and terrified.”

The thieves have been described as male and wearing black hooded-tops.

The first is aged 16-17 years, chubby build and he wore black tracksuit bottoms and white trainers.

The second is around 14, slim and he wore grey tracksuit bottoms and white trainers.

Det Sgt Paul Keitch from West Yorkshire Police said: “It is clearly concerning that this vulnerable woman’s home has been targeted twice in a short period of time, with the intruders in this latest incident also using violence against her.

“Thankfully she was not seriously hurt but nonetheless this was a frightening experience for her and it is vitally important that we identify those involved.

“We are supporting the victim and her family, which includes advising on how the property can be made more secure.”