'For someone to steal from a charity is incredibly disheartening'

SCHOOL'S 'LIFELINE' MINIBUS STRIPPED

- By FELICITY COLLINSON and ABIGAIL NICHOLSON

A SCHOOL'S 'lifeline' minibus has been stripped of its bonnet, engine parts and tyres.

A video shows the moment a thug targeted the mini van at The Mackenzie Thorpe Centre a Middlesbrough school for autistic children.

The £50,000 vehicle was used to transport a vulnerable 12-year-old boy to and from the school.

A hooded man was twice caught on CCTV cameras breaking into the grounds of the site in South Bank, before stripping parts from a Ford Tourneo van.

The vehicle, which had the bonnet, parts of the engine, and tyres stolen, is primarily used for the safe transportation of the young learner, who needs high levels of support.

The nine-seater van brings the boy to and from school, and takes him on outings to local parks and attractions, as well as activities such as swimming and horse riding.

The Mackenzie Thorpe Centre is run by the North East Autism Society (NEAS), which provides specialist education and care for autistic and neurodivergent children and adults across the region.

Interim principal Corrina McEwan said: “We are devastated.