Thieves steal pensioner's trailer

Ronnie McNeill, 76, is ‘very annoyed’ after discovering that the trailer had been pinched from the plot at Ratten Row, in Alnwick.

Frustratingly, the great grandfather had not put the wheel clamp back on after using the trailer a few days prior to the theft, which occurred late on Sunday or in the early hours of Monday.

In a further blow, the registration plate was also not attached to the trailer, which is described as being 8ft by 4ft, with a metal frame and wooden body.

Ronnie, who has informed the police about the incident, said: “That is £150 down the swanny and it is very annoying. You never expect a trailer to go missing and I really hope that the same happens to whoever took it.”

When asked what he thought about those who stole the trailer, Ronnie, from Upper Barresdale, simply said: “You couldn’t print that.”

Describing what happened, Ronnie added: “I checked the garden at about 5pm on Sunday and then at about 7am the following morning, I went back down and it was gone.

“I used the trailer to transport logs and take them home. I had used the trailer two or three days previously and I never thought about putting the wheel clamp back on. This theft means that I won’t be able to transport logs anymore, because not having a trailer makes a mess of the car.

“If this one doesn’t turn up, I will have to hunt around for a second-hand one.”

Ronnie loves his allotment, spending many hours there every day in the summer and carrying out regular checks during the winter.

“It is the peace and quiet of it all,” he said.

It is not the first time that Ronnie has had things stolen from the site. He said: “The garden has been broken into before. It happened sometime last year. The trailer was left alone that time, but equipment was stolen.”

Police inquiries are ongoing and anyone with information should call 101, quoting reference 0389 04/04/16.