Precious memories of late son destroyed in petrol bomb attack

A COUPLE have been left traumatised after their home was petrol-bombed - destroying treasured photos and keepsakes of their late sons.

- By NAOMI CORRIGAN

Karen and Tosh Holmes were in bed when arsonists targeted the house in Thornaby by hurling petrol bombs into the garden.

The fire spread from garden furniture into the front room, where their son Dylan passed away in 2017 after a brave battle with cancer.

The room is filled with photos and memories of Dylan, as well as their baby son James who died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome when he was six weeks old.

The latest trauma has reopened deep wounds, leaving the whole family distraught.

Cleveland Police is investigating the incident, which occurred on Saturday May 31, however there have been no arrests as yet.

CCTV footage from a neighbour shows suspects in balaclavas hurling petrol bombs into the garden which explode and spark fires which spread into the house.

Karen said it is thought the arsonists targeted the wrong house on a weekend which saw numerous other attacks in the Stockton borough.

The senseless attack at Lunebeck Walk was committed as the couple slept in their bed upstairs.

Karen, 56, is now receiving counselling while welder Tosh, 58, has also sought help for coping with the devastation of losing their home of 28 years and all the memories it held. “My husband just wishes he'd died in the fire,” said Karen.

“He says it’s like losing them all over again. I'd only seen him cry twice before and that was when we lost our two boys but he’s cried over all this. He’s even gone into work and asked for help which he would never do.”