Theft of Christmas gift for young autistic Musselburgh boy angers community

A callous thief has stolen a Christmas gift bought for a four-year-old autistic boy.

The Godzilla toy was stolen from a garden shed

The heartless crook smashed his way into a garden shed in Prestonpans, East Lothian, and made off with the festive gift.

Mum-of-three Emma Drummond had stored the Godzilla toy in her parent’s shed, and has been left devastated following the theft on Friday afternoon.

Emma, 36, took to social media to appeal for the return of the present she was intending to give to her son Ethan.

She posted: “[Our] shed has been broken into again. My son’s Christmas present was taken, so if someone surprises your child with a Godzilla please get in touch.”

On Sunday the mum, who lives in nearby Musselburgh, said: “I bought the toy last week and had to store it in my parent’s shed as it fairly big, and Ethan would have seen it in our house.

“I couldn’t really believe it when my mum phoned to say their shed had been broken into and the present was missing.

“It really is sad that someone could do this. They must have known that a large toy hidden in the shed at this time of year was meant to be a Christmas present.

“Ethan is at an age where he is just starting to talk and he doesn’t really say what it is he wants for Christmas, but he just loves monsters, so we thought this would have been a great present for him.

“It is just to try to stimulate his mind at this age, but now we will have to think of something else – or dig deep and buy another one.

“At this time of year we are all feeling the pinch, but hopefully the thief will be shamed into handing it back - or someone will recognise the description of the toy and name him to the police.”

Disgusted locals have condemned the cruel thief.

Nicola Gardner posted: “So much stuff has been stolen in Prestonpans. They need strung up.”

Julie-Ann Wright added: “I would love to contribute to getting another Godzilla. This is heartbreaking.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information can call 101, quoting 1194 of 28 November.”

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