A couple have recalled their terrifying ordeal after a machete-wielding gang broke into their home.
Millionaire property developer Paul Nicholson and his fiancee Kristina Metcalf were just about to turn in for the night when yobs smashed into the home and tried to break down the bedroom door on Thursday night.
While Paul barricaded the door terrified mum Kristina scrambled onto the roof of the family home on the outskirts of Liverpool, clutching their four-month-old son.
It wouldn't be long before they would catch up with her as she desperately tried to escape, demanding her engagement ring which in her fright she struggled to prise from her finger.
Meanwhile, dad Paul, 35, recalled horrific scenes as a blade a was pushed through the side of the bedroom door, cutting his shoulder.
He told the Liverpool Echo how he was forced to stand aside when he heard one of the men say, "Just volley the door," and then call out "Just shoot him."
At the same time, his fiancee rushed to the window with the baby.
As she tried to escape, she fell off the window ledge, accidentally catching the tot's face with her nail.
Moments later, the 27-year-old told how she managed to get out onto the roof extension, but a machete thug followed her, thrusting the blade at her, leaving it just inches from her and the child.
The yob demanded, "Give me your f***ing ring," but due to the anxiety, Miss Metcalf said it struggled to come off easily, enraging the lout even more.
Back in the bedroom, Mr Nicholson was confronted by two of the men, with machetes, as they asked, "Where's the Patek?"
The fact they asked for the expensive watch has led to the pair to suspect the gang have some prior knowledge about them.
One of the armed men leaned forwards towards the husband-to-be and warned him: "I'm going to f***ing stab you."
The attacker then reportedly lurched forwards with the knife and Paul moved backwards and into a wardrobe to stop the machete plunging into his stomach.
He said a box of watches was smashed onto the floor and one thug warned Mr Nicholson not to move as they escaped with two Rolexes, the Patek Philippe, and Miss Metcalf's Tiffany engagement ring.
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Detectives are now investigating the violent robbery.
The young mum said: "Seeing our baby's face hurt saddened me so much, no child should have had to experience what happened.
"The whole thing was so scary, when I came inside from the roof, I thought I would be coming into a pool of blood and Paul slashed to bits.
"It was by far the worst experience of my life, I would never wish this on anybody, what kind of person does this sort of thing?"
Paul said: "Seeing them rush up the stairs with machetes is something which will stay with me for the rest of my life.
"They fronted up to me, but why did they have to go after a woman who was holding a baby?
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"We don't want anyone else to go through this, it was terrifying."
Mr Nicholson bought his first property for £17,000 – but is now at the helm of a property portfolio worth more than £21m.
His team at Nicholson Group, formerly Luxor Group, are behind major regeneration projects in St Helens, Merseyside – specialising in acquiring "beautiful, forgotten old buildings" and converting them into luxury, affordable homes.
Self-made Paul started out as a solicitor, having spent a number of years at an international commercial law firm specialising in property and finance.
Since acquiring his first property with a value of £17,000 at the age of 23, he has expanded his portfolio from small buy-to-lets to more than 200 rental units, 23 commercial units and now develops large-scale multi-million pound regeneration projects throughout the Liverpool City Region.
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