Boy Unwraps Playstation Christmas Present But What He Found Inside Will Haunt His Memories Forever (Photo)

A young boy was left gutted after unwrapping his dream present - a PlayStation 4 - before realising there was just a pile of books inside.

Thomas Sandham, 10, could not wait to play the latest video games on his brand new console.

And when Father Christmas appeared to have delivered the gaming machine he'd always wanted, Thomas couldn't have been happier.

But what was inside the box was books by rapper Eminem, notorious gangster Curtis Warren, and former Liverpool player Steven Gerrard.

The primary school pupil's parents said the heartless scam had 'ruined' the family's Christmas.Thomas' dad Chris, 54, believes thieves stole the £300 console during its delivery from retailer Smyths Toys.

Other bizarre books stuffed inside the PlayStation box included 1,000 Airlines in Colour and The Killing of Tupac Shakur.

Chris, from Barton, Lancashire, said: "We felt like we had totally failed as parents when we saw his face.

"It actually came with three games but we left the console to the end because it was the biggest present.

"He had been asking for it but we were pretending we hadn't been able to afford it, so it was supposed to be a great surprise."

"When he saw the box he was ecstatic, but then when he opened it he just looked up said: 'Oh, it's books'. My wife thought I was taking the mickey but I was as shocked as Thomas. The console had been swiped and replaced with a load of rubbish books.

"I sat down and put my arm round him but the tears started to roll. It ruined our whole Christmas day. It's the biggest day of the year for a kid and some scumbag with no conscience has totally spoiled it."

Chris, who runs a family cheese makers business, and Michelle, a 49-year-old nurse, bought the console online on December 21.