Laura Bagshaw A PENSIONER who was robbed of his independence by thieves who took his mobility scooter is back on the move again, thanks to the generosity of a Pakefield woman.

Laura Bagshaw

A PENSIONER who was robbed of his independence by thieves who took his mobility scooter is back on the move again, thanks to the generosity of a Pakefield woman.

As reported in the Mercury, Don Dyble's world shrank to the few paces he can walk after the £2,400 ride-on scooter was taken form an outbuilding at his home in Ormesby St Margaret.

The 77-year-old former boatbuilder who has lived in the village for almost 50 years without incident believes it was probably local youngsters with knowledge of short-cut footpaths.

Mr Dyble bought his red Shoprider Cordoba two years ago and noticed it was missing on Monday, August 11.

Mr Dyble suffers from osteoarthritis and said while he can walk a little way he needs his mobility scooter.

The scooter was later found dumped on farmland - virtually unrecognisable and totally beyond repair after yobs had resprayed and hotwired it, dumping it once they'd had their fun.

Mr Dyble said if it was youngsters who had taken the scooter, he was surprised they had gone for something with a top speed of eight miles per hour.

He said: “It does not make sense. I thought they would have gone for something a bit faster.”

Following the article a Pakefield woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, contacted police telling them she wanted to donate her late husband's scooter.

Mr Dyble collected his new scooter last Saturday. He said: “The woman's husband died about a year ago and they had matching scooters.

“She told me she had wanted to get rid of it for a while but hadn't wanted to get into any dealings with people going round her house and offering money.”

He added: “It's a very nice gesture and it restores you faith in humanity.

“I'm delighted to get my independence back but it is annoying that it was taken for joy riding.”

Anyone with information about the incident which happened between lunchtime on Sunday, August 10 and Monday, August 11, should contact PC Bringlow via 0845 4564567 or Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 55511.