Thieves steal boat from man with special needs

Thieves steal boat from man with special needs

5 October 2022

A YOUNG man with special needs has been left devastated after callous thieves stole his speedboat.

Malcolm McRobert was given the small boat, named Sonic, as a special 25th birthday from his parents six years ago.

However, shortly after 11pm on Tuesday, September 13, the boat was stolen from premises between Crossgar and Ballynahinch.

The boat is a Valiant D340 RIB with a 20 HP Honda outboard engine and was on a Wilstow trailer. 

The thieves broke through a perimeter gate and then broke into several locked outbuildings before finding the boat.

Three people were observed on CCTV breaking into the outbuildings. One left the scene and the other two then wheeled the boat, on its trailer, away towards the main road, after smashing off the hitch lock.

Malcolm’s father, Angus, said his son was very sad at the loss of his prized speedboat.

“It will be very difficult to console Malcolm. As a special needs young man he has very few significant possessions,” Mr McRobert continued.

“This is a much loved boat and the centre of many adventures and family picnics.”

“We now have a really major job repairing all of the doors and locks that were smashed during the break-in.”

All of the major components have manufacturers’ plates with known serial numbers. There are other personal identification marks, which may make the boat hard to dispose of locally.

Mr McRobert said police were investigating the incident. “We hope Malcolm’s speedboat turns up somewhere,” he remarked.

“Unfortunately, there is still a lot of thefts of trailers and other outdoor equipment throughout the countryside.”