Thieves steal 83-year-old’s independence

YOUTHS have robbed an elderly woman of her independence by stealing her mobility scooter.

Jean Baker, 83, suffers from emphysema and only bought the electric scooter three weeks ago.

Having the second-hand machine meant she was able to go to nearby Yate Shopping Centre by herself instead of relying on her husband Fred to take her in the car.

But her enjoyment of getting out and about was short lived when the gang of four hooligans crept up to her front door in broad daylight and took the scooter away.

An elderly neighbour saw them near Mr Baker’s car and thought they were tampering with the tyres.

She phoned the police but then saw the youths pushing the scooter away from the scene.

Mrs Baker said: “I can’t walk very far because of my breathing and used to rely on my husband to take me shopping in the car.

“Then I was offered the scooter and it was lovely to have the freedom to go out whenever I liked.

“We couldn’t get it round to the back of our home so had to leave it at the front door but we had a cover for it.”

The great grandmother, of Stanshawes Drive, said two police officers searched the area for the thieves and found the scooter cover but there was no sign of the machine.

She said: “The lads who took it couldn’t ride it because they didn’t have the key but someone must have seen them with it.”

Mrs Baker is devastated at the theft and has appealed for anyone who knows anything about the maroon-coloured scooter to contact the police.

Martin Dunscombe, spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police, described the theft as a “disgraceful act” and said officers wanted to trace four white males who were seen pushing the scooter away at about 5.50pm on Sunday.

Anyone with information should contact the police on 0845 456 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.