A man was arthritis is furious after his disability scooter was stolen and then dumped in a river.

Tony Smith, 58, had his back turned for just over 10 minutes when the £1,000 scooter was stolen in Ashford town centre.

It was found that evening dumped in the East Stour, stripped of its seat, battery and basket and with its wiring torn out.

Mr Smith said: “I am disgusted. What sort of people steal from the disabled?”

The theft took place after 2pm on Saturday at the Churchyard, when Mr Smith had gone into a premises to speak to a group of friends at work. When he came back outside, he found the scooter had disappeared.

Police were called and the silver three-wheeled Revo was found eventually in the river near the Ashford Designer Outlet overflow car park.

Walking stick

Mr Smith, of Rectory Way, Kennington, suffers from severe arthritis and has had seven hip operations.

In the last year he has also had his crutches stolen from him during a visit to Disneyland Paris and had his walking stick taken from Ashford High Street.

He said: “The scooter is totally written off now. Thankfully my wife and I have a car to get about but those who took the scooter wouldn’t know.

“I can’t understand the mentality.”

Ashford police are appealing for witnesses following the theft of the mobility scooter.

Officers say they would like to speak to a group of youths who were seen in the vicinity at the time the scooter went missing.

uE06E Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact South Kent police on 01303 289180.