Boundary Mill: Disabled pensioner in tears over stolen wheelchair

Grace Smith and her husband were at the Boundary Mill Outlet in Colne on Monday (August 8) when the wicked theft took place.

The incident happened around 4:30pm and 5pm while Mrs Smith was in the fitting rooms of a clothes shop.

The 82-year-old asked a member of staff to keep an eye on her wheelchair as she tried some clothes on.

Mrs Smith said: “I came out of the changing rooms, a quarter of an hour later or so, and my wheelchair was gone. The shopkeeper wasn't there anymore and the staff told me she'd finished for the day.”

Mrs Smith's wheelchair was taken whilst she was shopping in Boundary Mill, Colne

Instead, a black store wheelchair had replaced Mrs Smith’s wheelchair, which has grey upholstery and cost her around £200.

Mrs Smith continued: “Someone had taken my cushion that was on my seat and thrown it on the floor next to the shop chair.

“I’m terribly upset, who would do something so cruel? I cried myself to sleep that night because I couldn’t cope, I felt terrible.”

Mr and Mrs Smith informed security at the outlet and they were advised that someone would take a look at the CCTV and get back to them.

Mrs Smith continued: “They rang us on Tuesday and tried to convince me and my husband that I came in in a blue wheelchair and I did not. They must have been looking at someone else because it wasn’t me.

“I think they’ve just washed their hands with it now because I’ve not heard anything else back and someone’s taken my wheelchair.”

Mrs Smith’s disability means she can’t leave the house without assistance from her husband and her wheelchair - she hasn’t been able to leave the house since the incident on Monday.

She said: “I’ve been housebound since it happened. I need to go shopping; I need necessities and I can’t go out and get them. It isn’t fair.

“Someone’s taken my lifeline from me, and they don’t care, they won’t give it back. I hope they have a conscience and return it back to the shop because I can’t cope without it. I wouldn’t dream of doing that to someone.”

The pensioner said that her disability makes her more prone to strokes and suffered one earlier this year which put her in hospital for three nights.

This isn't the first time Mrs Smith has fallen prey to theft; her mobile phone was also stolen earlier this year. She added: “I’ve not had much luck at all so it’s hard to stay hopeful.”

Mrs Smith is urging the person or people who took her wheelchair to give it back: “I promise I won’t hold it against you, I just want it back. If you leave it back where you took it, I’ll be satisfied, I just need my wheelchair.”

A spokesperson for the Boundary Mill Outlet said: “We are aware of the incident and are fully investigating this for Mrs Smith. We will not be providing any further comments.”