A disabled man has been left stranded in his own house after thieves stole his wheelchair.

Richard Woolford, 59, of Evans Lane, Kidlington, who broke his back in two places in a powerboat accident in

1992, abandoned his electronic wheelchair on Monday afternoon, after it broke down in Oxford Road, Kidlington.

A householder gave Richard a lift home and offered to store the chair overnight in his garage, but Richard hid it behind a wall instead.

But when he tried to collect it yesterday, (Tuesday) it was gone. Richard said: "I was devastated. I need the chair to get around, I have to use it to go to the Churchill Hospital once a week - the theft has left me housebound."

He said it would probably have taken two people with a van to steal the wheelchair, which cost £1,300 when he bought it second-hand 18 months ago and was already six or seven years old. It would not be worth much to a thief but it is worth its weight in gold to its owner.

He said: "My life literally depends on it. Without it I can't get out." The police have been notified about the theft. Meanwhile, Richard is asking anyone with information which could lead to the recovery of his wheelchair to call him on 01865 460032.

Story date: Wednesday 07 April

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