A grieving family struck by a series of tragedies have described their “nightmare” after a stolen car ploughed into their uninsured house.

The Mercedes-Benz crashed into Stephanie Heavey’s home in Murston, which she shares with her brother Terrence, 33, and his two children Emmie, three, and Izabella, one.

The car went through a fence before hitting the front of the house, leaving a hole and damaging a radiator. The driver fled while the engine was still running.

It comes as the family were coming to terms with the loss of the children's mother Clare Fletcher, who died suddenly of a mystery illness aged just 36 in January.

They moved with their dad to live with grandparents, Martin and Irene Heavey - the owners of the house - both of whom were fighting cancer. Sadly, Martin died in April and Irene died exactly a month later.

Unfortunately, the house was not insured as the legal process continues following the deaths, potentially leaving the family with a huge repair bill.

Stephanie said: “We were just thinking we were getting back to normal but this is bringing it all back up again.”

But despite their ordeal, she said the crash - which happened at 5pm last Thursday - could have been much worse.

“For some reason my brother took the girls upstairs before it happened," she said. "Luckily, no one was playing in the front room. Emmie is still scared. She is frightened every time she hears a bang and she doesn’t want us to leave her.”

Stephanie had to pay nearly £300 to have the radiator isolated before the boiler could be switched back on, meaning they were left without heating or hot water for three days during the recent cold snap.

The 36-year-old has been desperately trying to find workmen to repair the front of the home and her partner has been staying at the house to help keep it secure.

She said: “It has been a nightmare ever since it happened. We are finding it really hard just to get tradesmen to do the work.

“Because it’s been snowing and raining, it’s too cold for the cement to harden. Even if we had found someone we can’t even get the wall repaired because the weather is going downhill swiftly.”

Being without heating or water, Stephanie said the family appealed to Swale council for emergency accommodation until they could make the necessary repairs but were turned down.

A council spokesman said: “Building control visited the property to ensure it was structurally safe, and we have been in contact with the owners of the property and offered help with additional heaters if they are needed.”

Stephanie is now waiting to hear if she can make a claim through the car's insurance.

A police spokesman said officers searched the area following the crash and arrested a 41-year-old man from Sittingbourne in the High Street on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and dangerous driving. He has been released while the investigation continues.

Any traders able to help make repairs are urged to call KentOnline's sister paper, the Sittingbourne News Extra, on 01795 580300 or email sittingbourne@thekmgroup.co.uk with their contact details so they can be passed on.

An online JustGiving crowdfunding page has been set up for the repairs by Stephanie and Terrence’s brother, Martin.