A PORTLAND mum who was threatened at knifepoint in front of her two-year-old son in their home has told how she is living in fear following the terrifying ordeal.

The 21-year-old woman, who does not want to be identified, said the experience made her feel ‘physically sick’ and she has not slept since.

Police continue to appeal for information after three men entered an insecure property in East Weare Road on Tuesday evening and kicked open the living room door where the victim and her son were sitting.

The woman said she and her son were watching television in the lounge when three men burst in.

She said: “My partner had gone out so it was just us, but the next thing I know I heard a car pull up and three blokes came through my front door and kicked in my living room door with a loud bang.”

The woman said two of the men wore masks.

“They were demanding some money and I kept repeating: ‘What money? I don’t have any money.’ “They got angry and one pulled out a knife and kept looking at my son. So I stepped in front of him because I thought they would do something [to him].”

She added: “I thought someone was having a joke until they showed their weapon and then I felt physically sick and terrified for me and my son’s safety.”

The woman said she gave one of the men £20 but he also rummaged through her handbag and took out a ‘large sum of money’ before they left.

“It all happened so quietly and quickly. Then they all left and so I locked the door straight away.

“I looked out of the window and they drove off in a dark green-coloured car. I called up my mum in a state,” she added.

Recalling the incident, the mum-of-one said she is ‘living in fear’. She said: “It was the scariest thing I have ever been through. I haven’t slept since. I’m terrified, but also angry and upset because they did it all in front of my son.

“I don’t know who they were or why they did it. My partner is shocked and said he felt useless that he couldn’t be there.

“I refuse to go back to the house at the moment and I’m staying with a family member.

“I won’t be able to spend Christmas at home. They have ruined every chance of that.”

Asked what she would say to the thugs, the woman said: “I would say: ‘Why did you do it?’ and if any of them have got kids themselves, how would they feel if they were in that position and their children were sat there when the knife was pulled out?”

She added: “If they have any respect for themselves and any conscience they would stand up, admit what they have done, and apologise.”

The woman appealed to anyone who might have information to contact the police.

Officers are appealing to anyone who saw people acting suspiciously in the area at the time or who may have seen the vehicle. It happened around 7.20pm.

Detective Inspector Neil Devoto, of Western CID, said: “This was a frightening attack on a woman and her young son in the very place they should have felt safe.”

Witnesses or those with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101, quoting incident number 16:371.