Kerry Katona's 'terrifying' break-in as men threatened her with sledgehammer and carving knife that left her with PTSD

Kerry Katona has opened up about the 'terrifying' moment three men broke into her home armed with a sledgehammer and knife - and said she knows how Charlotte Crosby feels after her break-in.

Kerry Katona has spoken out about her own terrifying home invasion after the home of Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby was targeted by masked men. The reality star, who is currently eight months pregnant, was at home with her two-year-old daughter Alba when a gang of raiders broke into her home wearing balaclavas.

Writing in her weekly OK! column, the former Atomic Kitten singer said she found the story deeply triggering, given her own similar experience. "I read about Charlotte Crosby’s home being broken into by a gang of balaclava-masked raiders and I’m sending all my love to her," she said.

Kerry's own ordeal happened back in 2007, when she married to Mark Croft. At the time, three masked men burst into her Cheshire home and managed to make off with a number of valuable items, reportedly worth around £150,000 including their BMW car. Speaking afterwards, a Cheshire police spokesperson said: "All the intruders were wearing balaclavas and were armed with a sledgehammer, crowbar and large knife similar to a kitchen knife."

Writing in OK! this week, Kerry said: "It’s really triggering for me to hear things like that, as it takes me back to when three men broke into my house. Heidi was only five months old at the time and one had a sledgehammer and a knife. I know what she is going through, it’s terrifying. Hopefully, Charlotte is feeling better now."

Speaking after the terrifying incident, Charlotte's fiancé Jake Ankers said: "I can't believe I'm saying this but some little c***s have tried to rob my house with my two-year-old and my partner who is nearly eight months pregnant, armed with a machete."

He told his social media followers he chased the four robbers out of the house but wasn't able to catch up with them. He added: "One of them who was in the house at the top of the stairs had a red balaclava on. He is the one that had the machete. Me little girl's in the house. Me partner's in the house."

He went on to urge his Instagram followers to share any information they might have about the robbery. Jake and Charlotte moved into their home together in 2021 and extensively renovated the lavish property. It's now believed to be worth more than £1million.

A police statement released after the burglary said: "Police were called shortly before 7pm on Thursday (November 21) to reports of a burglary at an address in Houghton-le-Spring. Officers attended the area however the suspects left the scene before their arrival. Nobody was injured in the incident and no items are believed to have been taken.

"An investigation is now underway and anyone with information is asked to contact West CID on 101 quoting incident number 365 of November 21."