Bailey’s all smiles after raid terror
Big-hearted firm gifts new PlayStation to overjoyed schoolboy
A BOY in a wheelchair who watched in terror as masked thieves stole his beloved PlayStation when they barged into his Angel home can now look forward to his best Christmas ever.
Nine-year-old Bailey Preston, who suffers from cerebral palsy, was presented with the latest £300 games machine on Wednesday by the manufacturer, international group Sony.
The gift was thanks to an administrator with the firm, Crissie Bushell, who lives in Amwell Street, Angel, and read about Bailey’s plight in the Tribune.
Few stories have evoked so much sympathy from readers as the article about the robbery three weeks ago. Readers emailed the Tribune offering to help pay for a new games machine. The messages increased after Bailey’s plight was featured on ITV London.
Bailey, who is unable to walk, had been brought home from his school, Prior Weston in Old Street, by a friend of the family. When the front door at the flat, off Liverpool Road, was left briefly unlocked, three masked youths wearing hoodies pushed their way in and threatened the woman carer.
Bailey was forced to watch as the youths stole electrical equipment from the flat, including the PlayStation in his bedroom. This week, he said: “The thieves were really horrible but I’ve got a new PlayStation so I’m really happy.”
His mother, part-time barmaid Leyla Ismet, thanked the Tribune for reporting the robbery and helping to make it a Christmas to remember for her son.
“People have been very kind and we’re very grateful to Sony for donating the new machine, which is more up to date than his old one,” she said. “Bailey was pretty shaken up by the incident, but is overjoyed with the gift.”
David Wilson, a senior executive with Sony, was handed a copy of the Tribune by Ms Bushell. “I was very moved by the story,” he said. “We thought that as it was Christmas it would be nice to cheer the boy up by donating a new machine.”
Police have recovered Mrs Ismet’s car, also stolen in the robbery. A 19-year-old man has been arrested and bailed to return to a police station in connection with drugs offences and handling stolen goods.
Anyone with information should call Islington police on 0300 123 1212 or, to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
PETER GRUNER