Footballer's wife held at knifepoint in raid

A Premiership footballer's wife had a knife held to her throat by robbers who stole thousands of pounds worth of jewellery, police said today.

The raid on the home of Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz occurred two days before ram raiders targeted the home of Liverpool midfielder Jermaine Pennant.

Mr Santa Cruz's 24-year-old wife Giselle was with their two young children and another man at the house in Stanhope Road, Bowdon, near Altrincham, when three men burst in at around 6pm on Saturday.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "They forced the front door open and one of the men, armed with a knife, held the weapon to her throat, demanding valuables.

"There were two young children in the house at the time, and another man. They were all forced into a downstairs room while the men made the woman search the house upstairs.

"After stealing several items of expensive jewellery the men then left the house. The woman was not injured but has been left highly distressed."

The 27-year-old footballer, who is from Paraguay, was not believed to be at home at the time.

Police are appealing for witnesses. Detective Constable Dan Hayes, of Stretford CID, said: "This woman has been left traumatised by what happened to her and the levels of aggression that the offenders used.

"We are determined to find those responsible and are following several lines of inquiry, but we still need your help."

The knifeman is described as white, thin, and wore a black hoodie and material covering his lower face. He was holding a small silver knife.

The other two men were also white and dressed all in black. One wore a hoodie and other wore a black bobble hat.

Anyone with any information about this robbery is asked to contact police no 0161 856 7671 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.