Orelia mother devasted by stealing of autistic son’s bike

ORELIA mother Teresa Ansell was devastated when her autistic son (10) was attacked and had his bike stolen by a group of boys on Saturday.

Reuben was riding his bike outside his house at 5.20pm and usually stays within sight of his mother.

“He’d gone about 20m around the corner and was attacked by three teenagers,” she said.

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“They punched him repeatedly in the head and stole his bike.

“He was just minding his own business and the attack was unprovoked.”

When Ms Ansell went to check on Reuben, she realised he had gone and called for him.

“I saw him walking across the park, his face was bruised and swollen,” she said.

“He was very shaken and gutted.

“He did not understand why people would behave like that.”

An angry Ms Ansell got in her car with Reuben to find the teenagers.

“They saw us and ran,” she said.

“I chased them in my car.

“I drove the car at them; they dropped the bike and ran.”

Ms Ansell said the bike was retrieved, but Reuben’s helmet has gone.

“He’ll have to wait until we can afford a new one,” she said.

Ms Ansell said Reuben was now too scared to ride his bike.

“He won’t go out the front and says he will never ride his bike again,” she said.

Ms Ansell urged parents to take responsibility for their children.

“It’s school holidays and a lot of kids are roaming the streets,” she said.

“Young ones are vulnerable to be either led astray or hurt by bored teenagers looking for something to do.”

The assault and theft was reported to police.