Pregnant teen helps put dad in prison after spotting him in viral Facebook post

WHEN footage of her dad went viral, Cora Patterson knew she had to dob him in. Now she never wants to see him again.

A PREGNANT woman sent her own dad to jail — after spotting him and her aunt burgling a house on a Facebook crime appeal.

UK teen Cora Patterson, 19, turned dad Colin and aunt Janine over to cops after they stole sentimental belongings from a retired woman’s home in March.

The brave mum-to-be named the burglars on Facebook after seeing an appeal for information with CCTV footage of her family members breaking in to Marlene Stott’s house.

Cora, who went to police after naming her dad and aunt on Facebook, said: “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.

“It breaks my heart that my baby will grow up without a grandad. Putting my own father in prison was the hardest thing I have ever done but it was the right thing to do.”

Cora’s father Colin was caught on CCTV.

Colin’s sister Janine was also dobbed in for stealing from a retiree.

Cora’s dad was in and out of prison for petty crimes throughout her childhood.

She says: “My parents separated when I was little and dad wasn’t around much. But I still had a real soft spot for him, I suppose I always wished he would change.

“There were a few occasions when he took me to the cinema for a day out and I loved it.

“I stayed in touch with him because he was still my dad, and I always had the hope that he might come good.”

Cora discovered she was expecting her first baby in February this year — a first grandchild for her father.

She says: “I phoned him and he was absolutely thrilled. He came round to congratulate me and he told me that the baby would be a new start for him and he wouldn’t let us down.”

But in March, the devastated teen came across a post on Facebook, appealing for help with a house burglary.

She says: “There was CCTV footage of the burglars and immediately I recognised my dad and his sister, Janine.

“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.

“I sent my details to the homeowner and then I spoke to the police. Dad was arrested soon after.”

Cora saw CCTV footage of her dad on Facebook and went to police.

Instead of showing remorse, Colin sent his daughter a suicide text — telling her not to feel guilty.

Cora says: “I was panic-stricken at first, worrying that he was going to kill himself because I had reported him.

“But then I realised he was just selfish and attention-seeking. I certainly wasn’t the one who should be feeling guilty.”

Colin and Janine Patterson appeared before Bolton Crown Court last month, where a judge praised Cora for her bravery.

David Lees, prosecuting, told the court how on March 14 this year, the brother and sister broke into the home of Marlene Stott.

A number of items were stolen including jewellery that was given to Stott by her parents before they died for her 21st birthday and a swimming medal that belonged to her mother.

Colin sent Cora manipulative text messages after she turned him in.

Judge Timothy Stead, said it is always commendable when a member of the public assists the police, but especially when it is members of their own family.

He said: “It does take some serious courage to do that. As far as I’m concerned, she (Cora Patterson) should be commended.”

The court heard how Colin Patterson had 34 previous convictions for burglary.

Cora’s dad was sentenced to four years in prison and Janine Patterson to 30 months in prison for this offence and six months in prison for a previous crime for which she was serving a suspended sentence.

Cora says: “Dad has let me down once too often. He doesn’t deserve to be in my baby’s life at all.”

- This story originally appeared in The Sun and is republished with permission.

If you or someone you know is in need of crisis or suicide prevention support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au/gethelp