A GRANDAD is furious after a catalogue of catastrophes left him without his car for the school summer holidays.

First , Ron Hunnibal had his car smashed into by another vehicle when it was parked outside his home in Bourne Road, Colchester.

Then thieves stole the car and trashed it while it was waiting to be repaired.

Mr Hunnibal, 59, who is a taxi driver, got a quote for the repairs at a Wivenhoe garage after his car was driven into.

He said it was approved by his insurer First Alternative.

But then, when the bill came to £900, he said the company demanded he hand over his Ford Galaxy to get it repaired elsewhere.

The car was then taken to a garage in Woodbridge, Suffolk, only for it to be stolen.

Mr Hunnibal said: “My car had suspension damage after the smash. It was taken up to Woodbridge.

“They left my car outside the garage and put the keys through the letterbox. During the night someone fished the keys out and pinched my car.

“It disappeared for two days before police found it.”

The car was bought by Mr Hunnibal to take his five grandchildren out on day trips. It had an built-in media centre with screens which allowed them to use a PlayStation. Mr Hunnibal hoped to use the car during the summer holidays, which start today.

Instead he has been told he faces a long wait before he will get his car back because of the latest damage. A frustrated Mr Hunnibal said: “It’s now in Clacton while the damage is looked at.

“Police forensics are also still looking at it.

“It’s been trashed inside. They have tried to pull out the TVs from the head rests. It’s no good to anybody.” First Alternative has provided a temporary vehicle for Mr Hunnibal to use until his car is returned. No one from First Alternative responded to our request for a comment.