Daughter helps send father to prison after spotting him and her aunt in video of burglary on Facebook

'Putting my own father in prison was the hardest thing I have ever done'

Cora Patterson (Cora Patterson/Facebook)

A man was arrested for burglary after his 19-year-old daughter recognised his face in a CCTV video viral appeal, it has emerged.

Cora Patterson, from Bolton, came across a video which had been circulating on Facebook. It asked for help in identifying the two people who burgled a house in which jewellery and a swimming medal went missing.

Ms Patterson, who is five months pregnant, immediately recognised the two people in the video to be her father Colin and his sister – her aunt – Janine.

She initially identified them on Facebook. “I’ll tell you the f*****g names, Colin Patterson and Janine Patterson, absolutely ashamed to call them my dad and auntie.”

After, Ms Patterson contacted the homeowner and then spoke to the police. Later the duo were arrested.

The mother-to-be told The Sun: “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.

“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.

“Putting my own father in prison was the hardest thing I have ever done but it was the right thing to do,” she added.

The duo had broken into the house of Marlene Stott, and taken jewellery given to her by her now-deceased parents, as well as a swimming medal that once belonged to her mother.

After the arrest, her father sent her a text message telling her not to feel “guilty”.

“Thanks Cora but I still love u n don’t feel guilty at the end of it all u wont see me agen now but ill always love u n pls don’t feel guilty just keep this text right bye cora x”

Colin and Janine Patterson were sentenced before Bolton Crown Court. Her father, who has 34 previous counts for burglary, was sentenced to four years in prison, and her aunt to 30 months.

Judge Timothy Stead said: “It does take some serious courage to do that. As far as I’m concerned, she [Cora Patterson] should be commended.”