A GRANDFATHER aged 99 has lost his "link to the outside world" after his mobility scooter was stolen from the stairwell of his Sheffield home.
Ernest Hancock's electric wheels were padlocked and chained up in the communal area of the block of flats where he lives in Lowedges Crescent, Lowedges.
But callous thieves cut their way through to steal his scooter.
The theft leaves Ernest totally reliant on his family and carer Pat Kubon, severely limiting the independence he enjoyed with his scooter.
Pat, who calls in three times a day to help him with dressing and meals, said: "I have managed to borrow a manual wheelchair for him to use but that means I or someone else has to push him anywhere he wants to go.
"Before, when he had the electric scooter, he could get wherever he wanted. He's lost his legs by having the scooter stolen, it was his independence, his lifeline. It gave him access to the outside world."
Pat said Ernest used to enjoy trips around the nearby park and to the local community centre where he attended weekly coffee mornings and enjoyed company with other residents.
He is also £800 out of pocket as a result of the theft because his scooter wasn't insured.
South Yorkshire Police confirmed they were investigating.
A spokeswoman said: "Officers have spoken to local residents in the area, and are working with neighbourhood wardens in an effort to identify any suspects."
Anyone with information about the theft, some time between 4pm on Friday May 2 and 6.30am on Saturday May 3, should call the Woodseats Safer Neighbourhood Team on 0114 296 3680 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
What do you think? Add your comment below.READ MOREMain news indexMore Rotherham newsMore Doncaster newsLatest sport.Check out the very latest on South Yorkshire's roads - including live traffic cameras on Sheffield's commuter routes - with our Traffic sectionThe full article contains 327 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
