‘Pride and joy’ bicycle stolen
BIRTHDAY PRESENT IS TAKEN
A SCHOOLBOY has been left “heartbroken” after his prized mountain bike was stolen.
Sharon Washington has told how her son Marley, aged 11, was devastated at the theft of the £270 bike he got last year for his birthday.
“It was his pride and joy,” said Sharon, of Burbage. “He is devastated. He used to clean it all the time and used it every day. He loved to cycle to school on it.
“It gave him a bit of freedom and made him feel grown up.”
Sharon said the bike was stolen on Saturday afternoon.
“Marley and his friends went out for a bike ride last Saturday and went to the woods off Brookside.
“He put his bike down and his friend put his on top and they went down an embankment to explore. When they got back a few minutes later, Marley’s bike was gone.
“He rang me in floods of tears. He is heartbroken and blames himself but it’s not his fault that there are some horrible thieves out there.
“It is obviously a child’s bike so the thief knew he was stealing from a child. It’s despicable really.
“His 13 year-old brother has got the slightly bigger version of that bike, which makes it worse. They used to love spending hours cycling about together. Now Marley can’t do that.”
Sharon said family and friends have been searching for any sign of the distinctive blue Wolf Firefly, but have drawn a blank.
“We just hope someone will read this and spot it and tell us or the police,” she said.
“Marley could not understand why anyone would steal someone else’s bike.
“We would love to get it back. It would mean the world to him and might help restore my faith in humanity.”
A police spokeswoman said the theft had been reported to them.
“We have received a report relating to the theft of a bike from Brookside Park in Burbage around 3.40pm on Saturday, September 19,” she said.
“Enquiries are continuing into the theft and if anyone has any information they are asked to contact 101, quoting crime number 20*493086.”