Motorist Ruth Harrison was left gutted after her beloved £8,000 Mini was stolen by burglars who ransacked her Mirfield home.

Ruth, 26, had saved up since leaving university in 2008 to buy the car of her dreams.

The deep metallic Nightfire Red Mini – nicknamed Donald after its previous owner – was stolen from the driveway of the detached house she shares with partner Mark Davies in a quiet cul-de-sac.

Motorsports fan Mark, 32, well-known for racing Ginetta sports cars, was also left counting the cost as his pride-and-joy Gas Gas trials bike, worth £3,000, was also stolen.

The couple had been out for a meal on Saturday night and returned at 10pm to find their home trashed.

Every room had been searched and among the high-value haul were two laptops, two televisions, two iPads, an iPod, jewellery and two pairs of Ray-Ban sunglasses.

The raiders even stole half a bottle of Coco Chanel perfume!

Ruth, public relations officer for Leeds-based Ginetta, said: “When we got home it was a moment of disbelief.

Ruth Harrison and partner Mark Davies.
Ruth Harrison and partner Mark Davies.

“I saw that my car was missing and the front door had been forced. Just like you see on the TV they had ripped out every drawer and tipped everything out.

“I have had to wash every piece of clothing I own.”

Ruth had hidden her car keys in a drawer but the thieves found them and used the car to make off with their haul.

“It annoys me so much because I have worked so hard for that car,” said Ruth.

“I have saved up since I got my first job, putting away a couple of hundred pounds every month.

“I couldn’t believe it when I found just the colour I wanted. It’s a rare colour and matches my hair! The car had only done 9,000 miles and I will never find another.

“I am resigned to never seeing it again.”

The raiders failed to force the back door and then got into the garage but found there was no access into the house.

Instead they blatantly stood at the front of the house – in full view of the neighbour’s kitchen – and prised the lock on the front door.

Mark, who runs Fast Signs in Leeds Road, Huddersfield, had bought his bike around New Year, the same time as Ruth got her Mini.

He is not racing cars this year and bought the bike to keep his hand in at motorsport.

“It’s quite a distinctive bike,” he said. “What’s shocked me is that we live on a quiet cul-de-sac where you don’t expect this,” he said.

“They must have been watching us and waiting for us to go out.”

The Examiner reported last week how three distinctive trials bikes had been stolen from Dalton and Birkby.

Anyone with information on the raid should ring police on 101.

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