Stolen mobility scooter found trashed

A mobility scooter has been found in pieces after the machine was stolen from the Masterton home of disabled army veteran Ken English, 88. FILE PHOTO

The mobility scooter of a disabled Masterton military veteran has been discovered broken into pieces and minus its motor, after it was stolen from his carport last week.

Police found the scooter of Ken English, 88, dumped in a ditch on Kummer Cres on Wednesday, 1km away from his home. Mr English's wife, Selma, said it was irrepairable.

"It was all in bits, they took the motor out of it ... they took what they wanted and left the rest. It's horrible to think that a nice piece of equipment was destroyed for a small portion and I hope and pray that it doesn't form a pattern that [the thieves] try to steal from others too."

Mrs English said, once the insurance company had assessed the pieces, she would head to Mobility Wairarapa to "get looking at" a replacement scooter for her husband.

Although relieved to know of the scooter's fate, paying the insurance excess of $300 was "gonna be hard to make up", Mrs English said.

"We live but we don't waste money."

The couple had lost their savings in a market crash 20 years ago, just before Mr English retired, and now lived only off superannuation.

"We live frugally. We try to live a dignified life and help out others where we can. We can still laugh and that's the important thing."

Since word of the stolen scooter had circulated the town, the couple had seen numerous offers of scooter loans and community support.

"I feel very humbled, it's really rocked me how many people have offered their help."

However, Mrs English said she didn't know how to go about accepting it.

"I don't know how to because I have always been one to give and not been a taker."

The RSA loaned Mr English, who has Alzheimer's Disease, arthritis and heart problems, a mobility scooter but, due to all the "drop-ins", the couple are yet to take it for a test drive.

"The kindness of the community has been amazing and I'm so grateful for it," Mrs English said.