The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
OAP stranded after mobility scooter stolen
An 80-year-old Perth man has been left stuck in his home after his mobility scooter was stolen at Christmas.
Fred Elliott discovered the vehicle was missing last Monday.
But he believes it may have been taken as early as Christmas Eve after neighbours noticed it had gone missing.
The pensioner, who suffers from arthritis in both hips and his back, as well as fluid retention in his legs, says he is unable to go anywhere without it.
He told The Courier: “This has left me completely stuck here. I don’t have a car any longer and family members who would normally take me out are stuck at home with Covid.”
Fred kept the red Greenpower Flygo 800 scooter – which he only bought in June for £1,600 – locked under a tarpaulin outside his sheltered housing on Strathmore Street. He regularly used it to travel to Asda on Dunkeld Road and for trips into town.
He said: “It would seem the thieves knew what they were looking for and probably used a van to take it away.
“I think it’s unlikely it’s in Perth any longer and that the thieves will try to sell it on elsewhere.
“I would love to think I would get it back but that’s probably unlikely.”
But Fred insists he is “not going to let this get me down”.
He said: “It is an inconvenience and it has stymied me for getting out and about. I can do my shopping online until I get something else sorted but it’s the being stuck at home bit I don’t like.
“My mobility scooter gets me out and about and seeing people – that’s the main thing.
“I call it my Harley-davidson.
“I always try to remain cheerful and to make the most of any situation, no matter how bad it is.
“This will get sorted eventually and hopefully I’ll be back on the road soon.”
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Police in Perth are investigating following the theft of a mobility scooter from outside an address on Strathmore Street.
“The incident was reported to officers on Tuesday December 28, and inquiries are ongoing to identify those responsible.
“Anyone with information is asked to come forward.”