PARENTS are appealing for the return of video footage taken after the dramatic birth of their five-month-old daughter.
Kate Coughlan and Andy Makin, both 33, recorded the fortnight leading up to their daughter Minnie’s birth, as well as her first few moments, on their silver Sony Handycam before it was stolen from their South Woodford home on Good Friday.
Ms Coughlan suffered complications that meant her womb nearly ruptured during labour at Whipps Cross hospital in Leytonstone and she had to be put under while Minnie was born, meaning she missed the first few hours of her baby’s life.
“It’s quite rare for mother and baby to survive,” she said. “I was really lucky that a consultant at Whipps Cross had seen it before.
“I didn’t come around until about three hours later and in that three hours, my partner had videoed Minnie’s first moments. I’ve only had a chance to watch it once.
“I do feel lucky that we’re all alright, but it’s just sickening to think someone’s probably sold it for £20 down the pub.”
The footage was on a memory card in the Handycam - a DCR SX33E model - when it was taken, along with jewellery, a Canon SLR camera, a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses, a Sony MP3 player, the couple’s bank cards.
The thieves even swiped gift vouchers from Minnie’s changing bag.
They forced open the latch on the front door of the couple’s flat in Lechmere Avenue in the early hours of Friday, April 22, while they were asleep inside.
Ms Coughlan said she was feeding Minnie until about 4am and the thieves used her bank card at a cash point at 5.15am, so they must have been quick.
“My daughter was unusually unsettled that night,” she added. “I’m just glad I didn’t have to confront them.”
She appealed to anyone who may have bought the camera to return at least the memory card to the Guardian at 8 Simon Campion Court, Epping, CM16 4AU.
Father-of-two Simon Morgan, 38, had video footage of his mother’s last few days stolen when his family returned to their Epping home from Australia earlier this year.
But he said there was still no sign of his memory card. “The police’s investigations turned up nothing and mine turned up nothing,” he added.
Anyone with information on the Lechmere Avenue burglary should call the police on 0300 1231212.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here