Published at 16:19, Monday, 31 December 2012

THE Millom community continues to rally round a disabled man who had his shopping stolen outside a supermarket.

KIND GIFT: Millom Bike Group members after presenting a festive food hamper to theft victim Ian Tweedley, aboard his customised trike JON GRANGER REF: 50042864B000

Just before Christmas, Ian Tweedley had a bag full of groceries and festive treats stolen from the front of his customised trike-style motorcycle.

But kind-hearted police officers saved his Christmas by bringing the 52-year-old a replacement supply of groceries.

And in a further act of defiance towards the thieves, members of Millom Bike Group ensured a happy new year for Mr Tweedley by presenting him with a food hamper.

Group chairman, Bill Jones, said: “We just wanted to make sure he had a nice hamper of food to enjoy on new year.

“Hopefully now he can just shut the door to the world and stick two fingers up at the thieves.

“They must have been desperate to pinch his shopping, but it was below the belt.”

The bike group also presented Mr Tweedley, of Earl Street, Millom, with a new motorcycle helmet.

Mr Tweedley, who was left with serious injuries after a motorcycle accident while on holiday in France 20 years ago, said he was facing a miserable Christmas until the police returned hours after the theft, on December 20, with replacement shopping.

Speaking to the Evening Mail at the time, he said: “I was really surprised. I’d really like to say thank you to the officers for doing this.

“It was really helpful – it picked me right back up before Christmas.

“It was really good of them, above and beyond the call of duty.

“I had cabbages, Brussels sprouts, biscuits and all sorts in my bags.

“I just thought why me, why pick on me – I am disabled.

“Is this the society we live in nowadays?”

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk