THIEVES STOLE a Fife woman’s Christmas presents from her living room while she slept.
Danielle Trainer (25) was shocked and upset to discover that her carefully wrapped gifts for family and friends had been taken following a break-in.
The thefts from the rented first floor flat in Kirkcaldy High Street left the Abertay University accountancy student too upset to sit one of her vital degree examinations the next morning.
Among the gifts taken was a digital camcorder to help her mum Lesley record her participation in a Marie Curie Cancer cycle across South East Asia in memory of her late gran Hannah, who died from cancer.
Other personal gifts taken included a digital camera for her 17-year-old “baby” sister, PlayStation games for her boyfriend and other items including CDs, DVDs, aftershave and clothes, worth an estimated total of £1,300.
Danielle, who shares the three-bedroomed flat with two friends, is urging householders across Fife to ensure their properties are secure.
She said: “My flatmate and I smoke. Because we live in a rented flat we go down to the street.
“The door of the close is broken, but we normally lock the flat door when we go down.
“I had a degree exam last Friday lunchtime. I got up at 9am and when I went out for a cigarette I noticed that the front door was ajar.
“I presumed my flatmate had not shut it properly.
“I went out for my smoke and came back in it was my intention to do some last-minute cramming before my exam.
“Because I knew I had exams, I’d been really well organised and finished all my Christmas shopping by the end of October.
“But when I went through to the living room I noticed the presents, which were all wrapped and ready in gift bags behind the couch, had gone.”
When she realised what had happened, Danielle said she felt “sick”.
She reported the theft to the police and officers have been looking at CCTV pictures from the High Street area.
The incident has taken its toll on Danielle, who supports her student income by working part-time in the kitchens at Wetherspoon’s in Kirkcaldy and at the Victoria Hospital.
“I couldn’t sit my degree exam because I was howling outside the exam hall,” she said.
“My tutor couldn’t make the decision for me but advised me I might be better taking a re-sit in August, which I’m now going to do.
“I also broke down in tears at work and got sent home because I’ve been so shaken by this.”
She said she was “gutted” but had been supported by family and friends, including a beautician friend who was now offering her vouchers as substitute presents.
Danielle said: “People who do this sort of thing don’t care about stealing someone else’s Christmas. People shouldn’t take any chances with household security.”
A spokesman for Fife Constabulary confirmed that their inquiries were continuing.
malexander@thecourier.co.uk