Tree thieves ruin Christmas for kids (From Gazette Series)

Tree thieves ruin Christmas for kids

TWO little boys in Cam have been left heartbroken by a theft that has ruined their Christmas and left their parents in a state of disbelief.

After getting a great deal of pleasure from neighbours' outdoor decorations and seeing an eight-foot tall, self-inflating illuminated Christmas tree on special offer recently, the Marsh family decided to buy it for their own front garden in Everlands, much to the delight of their two children, four-year-old Toby and three-year-old Frankie.

But overnight on Thursday, callous offenders stole the festive inflatable, which included two snowmen standing on either side of the tree.

Mum Julie Marsh said: "I turned it off at 8.30pm on Thursday night as we always do - and it deflates and lies on the ground.

"I took the children to school on Friday morning and I didn't notice anything but when I came back 45 minutes later I noticed it was missing and called the police.

"I have spoken to my neighbours and nobody saw anything. The children are very upset about it. My four-year-old son Toby said it was disgusting that somebody could do something like that."

The police, however, have told the family there is very little that can be done.

Mrs Marsh said: "The police say there is nothing they can do about the theft. It is very disappointing that people have done this in the season of goodwill.

"The kids thought it was brilliant. It is so annoying that people have done this and spoilt the fun of other people."

Dad Alan Marsh has called on the perpetrators to have compassion and return the inflatable.

He said: "The sadness on our kids faces will be replaced with smiles as the internal decorations go up. But it's difficult to explain to these two why someone would take their tree and snowmen.

"I find it hard to believe that it's happened and can only hope that the individual or group involved takes responsibility for their pathetic actions and returns it, after all it is unique and easily recognised."