Mum’s terror after stranger tried to grab her six-year-old boy as she chatted nearby
The man took hold of the young boy and began to drag him away from where he was playing until a friend screamed and the man ran off
A MUM has been left shaken after a stranger tried to snatch her young son in broad daylight as she stood nearby chatting to a friend.
Jane Morrison-Allen's six-year-old son Charlie was dragged by the collar by the strange man before a friend screamed and he ran off.
The family has already gone through a devastating experience after their youngest child, Cian, lost his battle with cancer at just 19 months old.
This latest event has left her even more terrified about losing her children.
The Middlesborough mum said: "He was out of my sight for only five minutes.
"They came round and were all shouting at me about what happened.
"At first I thought ‘it’s 4.30pm, broad daylight’, I couldn’t believe anyone would do that.
"But then I could see it in her face that something bad had happened. She was hysterical.
"Charlie had put his scooter down and was just playing. The man said ‘Come here son I want to show you something’.
"Chloe saw he had hold of him and was dragging him.
"I’ve already got separation issues after losing Cian. I just think it’s disgusting.
"Charlie’s all right, it’s not bothered him."
Charlie, who is autistic, was playing with his siblings and friend near his home on Somerby Terrace in Middlesborough.
Jane was nearby talking to a friend about fundraising in Cian's memory when Charloe was approached by the man and grabbed around the collar area.
RELATED STORIES
His 11-year-old sister Chloe heard screams and ran to help.
The man then ran off towards Unity City Academy.
A little girl who witnessed it said: "We were just playing and he just appeared.
"He said to Charlie ‘Come here I want to show you something’.
"He grabbed the back of him and tried to drag him round the corner.
"I screamed and his sister came running over."
The girl’s mum, who also has a son with autism, said: "It’s awful. I’m keeping them in the house, they’re not going out."
Cleveland Police have issued an appeal for witnesses and information.
The man was described by the youngsters as black or mixed race, in his forties, wearing a white T-shirt, with a red emblem on the front and writing on the back.
He was wearing black tracksuit bottoms or jeans and white, red and grey Nike Huarache-style trainers.
Any witnesses, or anyone with information, is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Amy Campbell on the non-emergency number 101.
Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or go to
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368.