“I’M so petrified, I don’t know where to turn.”

These were the words of a mother who is afraid to sleep in her own home after a knifepoint burglary.

And Jacqueline Higginson fears she could become the victim of another raid as she says Wiltshire Council has refused to change her locks after her keys were stolen.

At about 7pm on Friday, September 22, a burglar entered her house in Bishopdown Road and stole cash.

“My son was here at the time and heard a knock at the door and like any normal person opened the door,” she said.

Jacqueline said her son, Craig McKinnok, 19, was held at knifepoint while the burglar demanded money.

“He is so traumatised that he won’t stay in the flat and now chooses to sleep at his friend’s at Bournemouth University than come back here.”

The 35-year-old also had her keys stolen earlier this year, and is afraid the burglar could return.

“I won’t sleep in this flat, I’m so petrified that I don’t know where to turn,” she said.

Jaqueline has approached the council on a number of occasions to change the locks but says the authority has refused.

“After it happened I was crying when I asked the council to change my locks and the woman said to me ‘well your son did let the burglar in’.

“They have basically said there is nothing we are going to do for you. I think it’s just disgusting – we are just supposed to live in fear.”

The council said Jaqueline could change the locks herself but she says she is unable to work so cannot afford to.

“I’m on benefits and get £91 a week but my outgoings are £140 and they won’t let me go back to work,” she said.

Wiltshire Council said: “While we have every sympathy with Ms Higginson we do advise our tenants to arrange for a locksmith to change locks where needed. Ms Higginson came to see us some weeks following the incident and we explained this to her and offered additional security advice.”

The offender is described as a skinny, white man aged between 25 and 30, and about 5ft 10ins tall, with light brown/blond hair.

He is about 5ft 10ins tall, with a buzz cut on the sides and slightly longer hair on top which was light brown/blond.

He was wearing a burgundy-coloured hoody with one pocket at the front and khaki green tracksuit bottoms.

Call police on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.