Thief destroys 'lifeline' van for autistic boy

Corrina McEwan, from the Mackenzie Thorpe Centre school, said to steal from a charity that was a lifeline for so many was disheartening

A £50,000 minibus described as a "lifeline" for an autistic boy has been destroyed in a "heartless" attack, a charity says.

The North East Autism Society (NEAS) said its Mackenzie Thorpe Centre school in South Bank, Middlesbrough, had been targeted by a thief at 21:10 BST on 19 July.

Parts of a Ford Tourneo van had been stripped during the break-in, with the bonnet, parts of the engine and tyres stolen.

Artist Mackenzie Thorpe, who the school is named after, said the van was used for a 12-year-old-boy with complex needs, and to see the centre targeted was "a betrayal of everything we stand for".

He said: "This centre was built with love, to give vulnerable young people in our community the care, support, and education they deserve.

"Lives of children and their families have literally been transformed here."

The Mackenzie Thorpe Centre provides specialist education and care for autistic and neurodivergent children and adults across the region.

Engineers estimated the nine-seater van would either have to be written off or cost about £15,000 to repair, NEAS said.

Corrina McEwan, interim principal of the school, said: "We are devastated. This vehicle was not just a means of transport, it was a lifeline for one of our community learners."

She told BBC Radio Tees the van gave the boy access to education and helped him engage with the world in a way that met his individual needs, such as going on outings to local attractions, and activities including swimming and horse riding.

She said she was "utterly shocked" when she saw the vehicle.

"The fact that this person had come through the fence and had been in our environment that we love and take pride in...to cause harm in that way and disrupt our service is really disheartening," she said.

Triple break-in

The male suspect was caught on CCTV on 19 July at 21:10 cutting through a metal playground fence to enter the school, the charity said.

Once inside, he can be seen breaking into the van and releasing the bonnet. He trigged an alarm, but disabled it before leaving.

The suspect was captured again on CCTV at 21:30, spending an hour stripping the front of the van.

He then returned on 21 July at 22:10, the charity said, breaking through the repaired section of the fence to remove all four tyres from the van.

He is described as white, aged about 18 and wearing a camouflage coat and grey jogging bottoms.

Cleveland Police has urged anyone with information to contact the force.