Scooter scum

Kathleen Lofthouse

A PENSIONER awaiting a double lung transplant was left stranded after thieves stole her mobility scooter.

Kathleen Lofthouse’s neighbours in Alder Lane, Hollins, were disgusted when they heard how her only mode of transport was taken from outside her home.

The 63-year-old granmother relies on oxygen 24 hours a day and needs to use a air pressure machine every 10 hours and a nebuliser every four hours.

Blurry footage on a neighbour’s CCTV camera showed a man taking the black scooter and riding off on it down the street.

It was later found dismantled, damaged and without wheels, at the back of a near-by house.

Despite having public and personal liability insurance, Kathleen found that she was not covered for the scooter and says she is now £1,000 in debt.

She said: “I have had that scooter for five years. It’s always parked outside my house as it is connected up to charge overnight. I can’t understand why people would do this — it’s disgusting.

“Without a scooter I have no means of getting around. I’m claustrophobic so I can’t get into cars.

“The PCSOs have been really good — they were knocking on doors and searching for it. I just hope whoever has done this has got some kind of conscience.”

Kathleen has now had to buy a replacement scooter.

Anyone with any information about the theft which happened last Tuesday at 6.02am is asked to call police on 0161-872 5050, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.