A disabled Dundee man has spoken of being “stripped of his independence” by heartless thieves who stole his electric wheelchair.
They cut through a chain to steal the vital chair and Jim McKaig, 47, now fears the theft will leave him housebound for months.
The West End resident said he “couldn’t believe it” when he discovered the crime on Monday afternoon.
Mr McKaig, who had only owned the wheelchair for six months, thinks the hooligans must have cut through a chain that had secured the wheelchair outside his Peddie Street home, before driving it off down the street.
He told The Courier: “I just couldn’t believe it, I’m shocked.
“I feel numb at the moment I am angry more than anything. I’ve lost my independence because of this.”
Mr McKaig, who suffers from a hereditary condition, has already had to cancel voluntary work he does every week because of the theft.
And he now fears he will be stuck at home for months while he waits for a new chair.
“I only had the electric chair six months,” he said.
“I don’t know how long it will take for it to get replaced. I have a metal push wheelchair but I don’t have the strength to go very far.
“Unless my wife is there I won’t be able to go out. I’ve lost my independence. That’s me stuck in the house.”
Mr McKaig believes the thieves, who he thinks struck between 1.30pm and 2pm, must have driven the wheelchair away.
“It can only have happened in that time slot,” he said.
“They must have cut through the metal chain that I use to lock it up and just driven it away.
“I’ve checked with my neighbours but they didn’t see anything unfortunately.”
Police are now hunting those behind the crime.
A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “We received a report of an electric wheelchair being stolen from Peddie Street. We are investigating the incident and anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 or speak with any officer.”