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Disabled child’s presents are stolen

Eve Dugdale
28/12/2005

THIEVES broke into the home of a disabled youngster and stole all her Christmas presents and the £25,000 car which had been specially adapted for her to travel in it.

Rebecca Myatt's mum Dawn woke up on Friday morning to see her car missing from outside her home on St Stephens View, Droylsden.

The single mum, who has another daughter, Rachael, 14, dashed downstairs to find not only the Mercedes Vito gone - which had been specially adapted to allow wheelchair access - but around 15 bags of presents. CCTV footage revealed the crime occurred at 3am.

"They'd taken two massive bags of presents I'd bought for my girls and also some presents which Rebecca had bought while out with her carer, for her friends," she said.

Rebecca, 17, has spina bifida with hydrocephalus.

"Rebecca sleeps downstairs as she is disabled and has oxygen. She always has her light on. They must have known she was there. I'm just scared they went into her room while she was asleep.

"I just can't believe the brazen-faced cheek. They must have known the car had been specially adapted and seen the child's wheelchair."

Included in the presents were two pink Samsung E330 mobile phones which were designed especially for Argos.

"I'd bought them in November but they've sold out now."

Anyone with information about the crime should contact Tameside CID on 856 9255 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.