Horrified mother find 7ft python slithering through child's bedroom
Natasha Robinson thought her fiancé Gary Minshull was playing a prank when she discovered the Taiwanese Beauty Rat Snake in their children's bedroom.
But the 34-year-old's jaw dropped when she spotted the serpent's tongue suddenly flick in and out of its mouth.
Natasha, from Chester, Cheshire, said: 'To begin with, I thought 'it's got to just be a grass snake' or something else not so dangerous but it didn't look anything like the pictures – and it was so big.
'We realised with the size and the look of it that it definitely wasn't native.
'My partner and I were just in disbelief really – especially knowing it had been in there with our daughter.
'I'm just so grateful it was spotted and that she didn't accidentally tread on it.'
The wedding accessories business owner quickly ushered three-year-old Primrose along with her sons Jacob, seven, and six-year-old Theo into the garden and checked on her pet cats who she feared might have been eaten.
Natasha and her 40-year-old health, safety and quality manager partner contained the snake for two hours before a couple living locally, who own exotic pets, took it away.
Taiwanese Beauty Rat Snakes are a non-venomous constrictor snake butthey can grow up to 10ft long.
It's legal to keep without a licence in Britain and they are usually docile but can strike if they perceive a threat.
'One of my sons is autistic, he would've grabbed it. I dread to think what could've happened then,' Natasha said.
Natasha believes the snake may have got into their house before last month's incident through an open window.
Although now safely fostered, she spent the days after the incident frantically checking the bed in case another one got in.
Natasha said: 'The children weren't frightened of it, they thought it was really cool having a snake in their bedroom.
'It was totally bizarre. You'd think if it was a loved pet it would've been claimed.
'We have been like celebrities around here ever since, I'm asked about it constantly.'
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE: Gen Z are making their tea without a kettle and it's an 'absolute violation'
MORE: Lawyer shaves his head in protest but misses a spot
MORE: Tractor carrying animal waste runs through homes after drug driver runs red light
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
8 hours ago
- Metro
Cat named Leonardo da Pinchy terrorises town by stealing people's underwear
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A cheeky cat called Leonardo da Pinchi has been stealing pants and socks from his neighbours. His relentless laundry raids have made him quite the notorious celebrity in Mairangi Bay, New Zealand. The 15-month-old feline thief has expensive taste too – seeking out silk boxer shorts and thick men's work socks, often with the clothes pegs still attached. He's even stolen a brand-new $300 NZD (£134) cashmere sweater. His criminal life first started when he was let outdoors for the first time last year. The problem has got out of hand for his owner Helen North who struggles to manage her cat's kleptomania. She said: 'My daughter was at home sick and she rang me at work saying, 'It's bad, it's bad, this is the worst thing he's brought in, it's really bad,' she said. 'Because it was beautiful. I was like, 'Ooh, can I keep that?' But I couldn't.' To Helen's horror, the stolen stash just keeps growing – everything from piles of socks, loads of underwear, and even a bizarre five-foot-long stuffed snake. Leo's record so far in one day is nine stolen items. Helen continued: 'He brought in a jersey this morning at ten past eight. The shops hadn't even opened.' Helen has tried everything under the sun to stop his thieving habits including keeping him indoors to leaving out clothes at home for him to steal. She said: 'He only wants stuff that he shouldn't have.' She has no choice now but to post photos of his loot on a local Facebook page, along with an apology and her address. A woman recognised her pink and purple underpants, and a boy was reunited with his missing sports jersey. More Trending One of Leo's regular targets is allergic to cats and she is forced to dry her washing indoors. 'All of our neighbours think he's amazing,' she said. 'Some of them are quite put out that he hasn't actually stolen anything of theirs.' Helen hopes that this is just a childhood phase for Leo and that he will grow out of it. She added: 'I hope he grows out of it because I don't want to do this for like, 15 years. This is a lot of admin.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: You could have the cutest job in the world and become a duck-crossing warden MORE: Zoo kills 12 baboons because there wasn't enough space MORE: Tsunami warnings still in place after 8.8 magnitude Russian earthquake
Metro
9 hours ago
- Metro
Four dead in mass shooting at Montana bar with gunman on the loose
A manhunt is underway after four people were shot dead at a small town Montana bar. The shooting broke out at The Owl Bar in Anaconda around 10.30am on Friday, said the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation. All four victims were pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect was last spotted near Stump Town, which is a short distance west from Anaconda. He is believed to be armed. Details around the shooting were not immediately released by law enforcement officials. Officers searched the suspect's home in Anaconda and he was nowhere to be found. They are hunting for him in the woods. Business owners said they were still under lockdown two hours after the shooting. More Trending 'We are Montana, so guns are not new to us. For our town to be locked down, everybody's pretty rattled,' said Barbie Nelson, owner of Firefly Café. 'It's a small town, so we all probably know someone who was there.' Governor Greg Gianforte wrote on X that he is 'closely monitoring the situation involving an active shooter in Anaconda'. Anaconda is roughly 75 miles southeast of Missoula. Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ Or you can submit your videos and pictures here. For more stories like this, check our news page. Follow on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. MORE: Moment manhole shoots fire onto street as terrified pedestrians run MORE: Ghislaine Maxwell quietly moved out of Florida prison while seeking Trump pardon MORE: First picture of man, 76, charged after children 'poisoned' at summer camp
Metro
11 hours ago
- Metro
Woman in her 60s found dead at bottom of cliff just hours after couple's bodies
A woman in her 60s has been found dead at the bottom of cliffs below Whitby Abbey. It is the third death in the area in the space of 24 hours after a couple in their 40s died after falling from the cliff. The woman's body was found yesterday just hours after the couple's bodies were found. Her body was found by a member of the public just after midday on Thursday. Emergency services including police, ambulance, coastguard, mountain rescue and lifeboat teams were all called to the scene. Rescue crews were called in to help with the recovery of her body due to the location and she was taken to the lifeboat house. It is believed the woman fell from the cliff shortly before her death. A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: 'We are investigating the sudden death of a woman aged in her 60s whose body was spotted by a member of the public below Whitby Abbey at 12.53pm yesterday. 'Police, ambulance, coastguard, mountain rescue and lifeboat teams were called into assist with the incident, which is believed to have involved a fall from the cliff. 'Due to the rocky location and high tide, mountain rescue assisted in recovering the woman's body to the lifeboat before being taken to the lifeboat house. 'Enquiries are ongoing to investigate the circumstances for a coroner's report. 'The sudden death is not believed to be suspicious. The woman's family have been informed and are receiving support. More Trending 'Witnesses to the incident or anyone with information that could assist officers, are urged to call North Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting reference number 12250142097.' The police investigation is ongoing before a report will be sent to the coroner. On Wednesday, a couple died after they fell from the cliff by Whitby Abbey. The bodies of the man and woman, believed to be in their 40s, were airlifted from the beach in Whitby as the tide came in. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: You could have the cutest job in the world and become a duck-crossing warden MORE: Influencer found with her 'throat slit by boyfriend' after attack outside cinema MORE: British man dies in Turkey after hair transplant goes wrong
