Vandals spoil elderly couple's dream holiday

Sheila and Roger Smale had been travelling around America for the last couple of months visiting their son but decided to fly back three weeks early when relatives contacted them with the news.

Thieves had broken into their Daihatsu car while it was parked outside the couple's home in Ewell Court on Sutton Place, Bexhill. They'd smashed both side doors and apparently tried breaking the steering lock before ripping the wheel out completely.

The final insult came when the couple had to pay an extra 350 to bring their flights forward.

"It wasn't much of a homecoming though at least we knew what to expect when we got home. The trouble is I depend on it because I can't walk very far," said Mr Smales who's 73.

The damage is expected to run into thousands of pounds but the couple are hoping to have their car back within a couple of weeks once it's been repaired.

He added: "It appears they'd worked their way through some of the garage blocks. Possibly they were wanting to steal ours to carry the stuff away but they obviously couldn't get it started and smashed it up instead.

"I can only think they wanted the wheel because it was a limited edition, a bit smaller and sportier than the usual ones."

Anyone with information about the incident on Friday 12 April should contact Pc Harman at Bexhill police station on 456068.