Teen gets dad arrested after seeing him in crime video - New York Post

A pregnant woman sent her own dad to jail — after spotting him and her aunt burgling a house on a Facebook crime appeal.

Cora Patterson, 19, turned dad Colin and aunt Janine over to cops after they stole sentimental belongings from a retired woman’s home in March.

The brave mom-to-be named the burglars on Facebook after seeing an appeal for information with CCTV footage of her family members breaking into Marlene Stott’s house.

Patterson, who went to police after naming her dad and aunt on Facebook, said: “I found out I was pregnant in February and dad was over the moon. It was his first grandchild and he told me it would be a fresh start for him.

“Less than a month later, I spotted him on CCTV burgling a family home.

“It breaks my heart that my baby will grow up without a granddad. Putting my own father in prison was the hardest thing I have ever done but it was the right thing to do.”

Patterson’s dad was in and out of prison for petty crimes throughout her childhood.

She says: “My parents separated when I was little and Dad wasn’t around much. But I still had a real soft spot for him, I suppose I always wished he would change.

“There were a few occasions when he took me to the cinema for a day out and I loved it.

“I stayed in touch with him because he was still my dad, and I always had the hope that he might come good.”

Patterson discovered she was expecting her first baby in February this year.

She says: “I phoned him and he was absolutely thrilled. He came round to congratulate me and he told me that the baby would be a new start for him and he wouldn’t let us down.”

But in March, the devastated teen came across a post on Facebook appealing for help with a house burglary.

She says: “There was CCTV footage of the burglars and immediately I recognized my dad and his sister, Janine.

“I felt so angry and ashamed and I posted their names and details on Facebook. I was devastated and I felt so bad for the people whose home he had burgled. I felt at rock bottom.

“I sent my details to the homeowner and then I spoke to the police. Dad was arrested soon after.”

Instead of showing remorse, Colin sent his daughter a suicide text — telling her not to feel guilty.

Patterson says: “I was panic-stricken at first, worrying that he was going to kill himself because I had reported him.

“But then I realized he was just selfish and attention-seeking. I certainly wasn’t the one who should be feeling guilty.”

Colin and Janine Patterson appeared before Bolton Crown Court last month, where a judge praised Cora Patterson for her bravery.

Prosecutor David Lees told the court how on March 14 this year, the brother and sister broke into Stott’s home.

A number of items were stolen including jewelry that was given to Stott by her parents before they died for her 21st birthday and a swimming medal that belonged to her mother.

Judge Timothy Stead said it is always commendable when a member of the public assists the police, but especially when it is members of their own family.

He said: “It does take some serious courage to do that. As far as I’m concerned, she (Cora Patterson) should be commended.”

The court heard how Colin Patterson had 34 previous convictions for burglary.

Colin was sentenced to four years in prison and Janine to 30 months in prison for this offense and six months in prison for a previous crime for which she was serving a suspended sentence.

Cora says: “Dad has let me down once too often. He doesn’t deserve to be in my baby’s life at all.”

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