Baby Chloe Thornton became a victim of crime at just six months old after burglars raided her mother's flat.

The thieves stole Chloe's toys and even ripped up photographs of her taken when she was born.

Chloe was among a handful of Sussex children to be born on Christmas Day.

Mother Michelle, 18, of Halland Road, Moulsecoomb, Brighton, lost many of her belongings in the raid, including two televisions, a video recorder and scores of music tapes and CDs.

But worst of all, the intruders ripped up dozens of photographs of Chloe and even pushed some of them down the toilet.

Michelle said she found it disturbing the burglars had only targeted pictures of her daughter.

The thieves forced their way in through a back door before smashing up furniture, including a wardrobe and drawers.

They smashed a bathroom window, left a trail of debris throughout the flat and left pieces of broken glass in a rabbit hutch in the garden.

Michelle was visiting a friend on Saturday with Chloe's father when the thieves struck.

The loss and damage is estimated at more than £6,000 and Michelle is not sure whether she is covered by insurance.

She said: "It's just sick and disgusting. All Chloe's toys have gone. They even took her videos.

"I'm not one of these young parents who sponge off their mum and dad. I worked hard to save up for all these things when I was working as a hairdresser before I had Chloe.

"She used to love her videos. If she was crying she would stop when I put those on.

"There were pictures of her as a newborn in my arms and with her father.

"It was just so malicious. I have got quite a large photograph of me on the wall, but they haven't touched that, they have just gone for pictures of my daughter.

"They put some of my baby's toys down the toilet. The police couldn't believe how disgusting it was, it looked that much of a mess."

Police said they were investigating.