Christmas has been ruined for one mid-Essex family.

Burglars stole nearly £1,000 of presents after breaking into a shed at Julie Hutchings' home in Beeches Road, Chelmsford. They took a mini-motorcycle, a mountain bike and a children's quad bike.

Mother-of-four Julie Hutchings had been saving hard to make it a Christmas to remember for her bike-mad sons: Daniel, Ryan, Wezley and Ellis Ford.

But two of the boys are in for a yuletide disappointment.

Mrs Hutchings replaced the mountain bike she'd bought for seven-year-old Wezley - but Ryan, 17, and Ellis, just 13 months old, will to have to look forward to next year.

As well as the presents the raiders took two BMXs that were just over a year old.

Anyone with information about the theft or who has seen the missing bikes should call Chelmsford police on 01245 491212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Published Wednesday, December 22, 2004

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