A DISABLED grandmother has hit out at ‘lowest of the low’ thieves who torched her lifeline mobility scooter.

Susan Read, from Weymouth, says she has lost her independence and is in searing pain trying to walk everywhere.

The 57-year-old suffers back problems and had saved up to buy the Rascals mobility scooter because walking aggravates her pain.

‘Cruel’ thieves stole the scooter from her front garden in Brisbane Road, Littlemoor, and it was found torched in a field near Beverley Road two days later.

Police are appealing for witnesses in a bid to trace the culprits.

Mrs Read, who is looking for work, says she fears the vandals have scuppered her plans.

Mrs Read said: “It’s the lowest of the low.

“They’ve taken away my independence; I’m stranded.

“I’m attending Diverse Abilities Plus because I’m training for office work but getting to appointments leaves me in agony.

“I have another one next week and I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

She added: “The other day I walked from my house to the Co-op, which is a five minute walk.

“It took me nearly an hour and 15 minutes to get there and back. I was in agony.”

Mrs Read says she has had to switch to stronger pain killers since the theft of the scooter.

She was left with back damage after a work accident 10 years ago.

She added: “When you’re in so much pain you just don’t know what to do with yourself.

“Usually when I have the scooter to get around, it’s a low level of pain. But it’s still pain.

“But trying to walk everywhere has made it horrendous.

“Years ago people had respect, you wouldn’t do this to someone.

“I am going to be in agony until I can save up to get another scooter.”

Mrs Read says she wants to warn other disabled or elderly residents on the estate to be vigilant.

She added: “To take it for a joy ride is one thing. It could always be rewired.

“But because it’s been torched there’s nothing that can be done.”

Her daughter Lola Foot said: “Mum’s got lots of appointments for her back that she needs to get to.

“I don’t know what she’s going to do.

“This has really made her worse. She’s in so much more pain and is feeling depressed.

“It’s so sad because disabled people depend on things like their scooters and some mindless person has taken her independence away.”

The scooter was stolen sometime between 4pm on April 19 and 6pm on April 20.

n Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101.