Second years’ priceless possessions stolen in housing horror

Four unlucky second years were burgled after a mite infestation in their house forced them to relocate to a nearby hotel.

Psychology second year Ebony Lacey and her housemates suffered severe allergic reactions to the house’s dust-mites and damp.

They had to leave many possessions and check-in to a hotel while pest control fumigated the building on George Street.

Ebony and her housemate Georgia

But the next day thieves broke in and stole two cameras, an Apple laptop, iPhone, iPod and diamond and emerald cluster 9-carrot gold wedding rings given to one housemate as an heirloom.

Ebony said: “We’re hoping by getting the information out, someone knows something – especially about the wedding rings.

“All the other items is just stuff, but the wedding rings… it’s just horrible.”

All the items are still missing and a police investigation is underway.

Thieves broke in while the house was being fumigated

The nightmare began when housemates Jessica Rogers, Georgia Pasfield, Natalie Oon and Ebony were forced to evacuate their home and everything in it after a horrendous dust mite infestation left them all with severe allergic reactions.

Georgia was left particularly distressed after a severe skin irritation.

Georgia suffered a severe allergic reaction to the dust-mites

Ebony said: “Georgia really didn’t want to see anyone, go out or even go to uni because she was just too embarrassed.  It was really tough for her.”

The housemates were ordered to wash every item of clothing or fabric extensively and move into a local hotel.

But their ordeal worsened when the housemates allegedly encountered damp, mess and rude staff, and found they were treated differently to other guests at the hotel.

Ebony said: “It was damp with mould on the walls and hairs on the bed.

“We were informed students were not allowed to sit in the lobby where other guests were or have breakfast.

“The next day we came in and asked for our money back due to the state of the rooms and the way that we had been treated but were told we were not allowed.

“The manger refused to speak to us or give us any money back and upon coming in a second time we were told that if we didn’t leave they would call the police.

“The manager’s exact words were: ‘Bring it on baby, I’ll get my solicitor – bring it the fuck on’.”

Ebony and her friends are set to return to Loughborough this week to continue their studies after taking time out to come to terms with all that has happened.

The incident has left a lasting impression on the second years, with Ebony’s housemate forced to sacrifice an important intern opportunity at H&M because she couldn’t be present for the selection process.

Ebony added: “We are all uni students, and unfortunately this has impacted our overall time at Loughborough.

“We haven’t actually been in uni very much and we’re now in week seven.

“We all have exams and coursework coming up so its affected us all in a bad way and we’ll only return home when we feel ready to do so.”

If you, or anyone you know has any information regarding the burglary or the items taken, contact Leicestershire Police on 999 or the non-emergency service at 101.