Cruel thieves stole a disabled woman's pension money and winter fuel vouchers as she shopped in her wheelchair.

Maureen Osbourne, 63, was horrified when she and her husband David, 67, returned home to find £300 and other treasured items had been stolen from her motorised buggy.

The couple had been shopping at Pitsea Market when a villain reached into a holdall and stole a leather case containing the items.

Later kindly Jack Cattle knocked at their door after finding the empty purse which had been dumped in a rubbish bin.

Mrs Osbourne, of Mill Green, Pitsea, who has muscular dystrophy, said: "I have lost my winter fuel allowance and two weeks pension money."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 01268 532212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Upset - Jack Cattle kindly returns the empty purse which he found dumped in a rubbish bin

Picture: MIKE BELLENIE

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