A father’s plea to the burglars who stole Christmas: Bring back my kids’ gifts

But only one day later, the sense of safety in their new home was shattered.

“I woke up and thought it’d be a good day,” Hayden said.

“The kids and I went down the street at about noon and got home at 3pm.

“I walked to the back door, and the sliding security door had been ripped completely off its rollers.”

The intruders had clearly rummaged through every room of the house, but his son’s bedroom bore the brunt of their chaos.

Drawers were overturned, his son’s television was now flipped upside down on the ground, and various items were scattered across the floor.

Taking a PlayStation 5, a PlayStation 4, a laptop, a display boat, a spotlight torch labelled ‘Hayden McLean Contracting’, a Roxy bag filled with Hayden’s clothes and security cameras sitting on the kitchen counter, the thieves made a clean getaway.

Hours earlier, the Christmas tree in the living room had presents underneath.

The thieves, void of any conscience, had taken them too.

“I saved up money from work to get all the presents through lay-by and with the help of a support service, and they’ve just gone and stolen Christmas for the kids,” Hayden said.

“They’ve done a really good job, completely ruined us.”

The worst part?

Not only had his privacy been violated, but also his memories, as the stolen laptop contained the only photos and videos of his children growing up.

“I nearly collapsed on the ground,” Hayden said.

“I thought Shepparton was a good place; I didn’t have these problems down Gowrie St (at the family’s previous home).

“As soon as someone has seen me leave, they’ve thought, let’s roll this guy.

“Who does that?”

Police arrived at what was now a crime scene, inspected the aftermath, and began their investigation.

One significant piece of evidence came from a console search via an app on Hayden’s phone, showing that the PlayStation 5 (now deactivated for security reasons) was within 200m of the house.

“I don’t want to jeopardise the police investigation, but I want people to be wary this time of year,” Hayden said.

“The feeling of being unsafe in your own house makes you so unsteady.

“Last night, when I was walking up and down the house, pacing flat out, I thought it might be a good idea to remind people to lock up their stuff.

“I wouldn’t want anyone else to go through anything our family went through.”

Six days before Christmas, two children sat beneath a giftless tree.

No sleep would be had by a father petrified for their safety.

And what should be a merry time of year is now one of misery — a feeling all too familiar to Hayden.

“Two years ago, on Christmas Day, my mum slipped in the bathroom and died on New Year’s Day,” he said.

“Christmas is not a good time for me ... this has just topped it off.”

Short on money and Christmas miracles, Hayden called and confided in his sister, who went to Kmart that night to buy gifts for her nephews, ensuring they would have something under the tree.

Members of a Shepparton community Facebook page were also no Scrooges, offering PlayStations for the boys in an effort to restore some sense of holiday cheer.

Then there’s an item on Hayden’s wish list that won’t be so easy to obtain: reclaiming their home.

“The kids haven’t settled at all yet — we’ve moved three times this year,” he said.

“I’m not moving again, I’m not letting people come here and take our things.

“I’m standing my ground.”

When asked if he had a message for the burglars, Hayden teared up at the thought but steeled himself, knowing his words could ignite a spark of remorse.

“I want nothing for myself, I just want all my kids’ stuff to be returned — that’s all I ask for,” he said.

“I promised my 10-year-old that I would not stop until I had his stuff back, and I’m not going to break that promise.

“I don’t care if it takes me a year, two years ... that laptop, I don’t think we’ll ever see again.

“But who knows? Luck might turn around for once.”

Anyone with information should contact Shepparton police at 5820 5777 or Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au