AN award-winning man with dementia who has created a community garden to help vulnerable residents has spoken of his devastation after the project was repeatedly targeted by a thief.

Charity bosses have branded the masked raider "despicable" for stealing tools, timber and donated ornaments during the night-time burglaries at the Cornerstone Sensory Garden, in Evenwood, near West Auckland.

The Northern Echo: PROJECT: Ernie Malt at the plot before he started to develop it

PROJECT: Ernie Malt at the plot before he started to develop it

Pensioner, Ernie Malt, who has been the driving force behind Dementia Friendly Evenwood, after being diagnosed with vascular dementia four years ago, said the raids had left him wary of entering the place that was meant to help him and others with the condition.

The 70-year-old, who was named Inspirational Individual of the Years at the Alzheimer’s Society’s 2016 Dementia Friendly Awards, runs a dementia café at the Cornerstone Christian Centre, where the garden is based.

Mr Malt, who has spent months working with volunteers to get the garden ready for its opening on July 15, has vowed not to "let the thief win".

Evenwood councillor Heather Smith said: “This is a crime against the whole community and especially the people with dementia for whom this garden is especially being made.”

An Alzheimer’s Society spokesman added: “It is despicable that anyone would stoop so low as to steal from this community project.

“The Cornerstone Sensory Garden is Ernie’s pride and joy and the launch event is something he has been looking forward to for a very long time. How sad that a shadow has been cast over it by this calculated and thoughtless act.

“Alzheimer’s Society has a vision – it is trying to create a world where people living with dementia feel safe and valued, but crimes like this fly in the face of what dementia-friendly communities should be.

“I hope those responsible read this and feel ashamed. But they should know that regardless of how they feel, this project, which will bring a great deal of pleasure to the people of Evenwood, will go ahead as planned and, I am certain, will be a huge success.”

Mr Malt said he had been left devastated after discovering items had been stolen items on three consecutive nights by a culprit who covered his face with a woolly hat and scarf. CCTV cameras captured him with a small backpack on the first night, returning with a large trekking bag and is then suspected of using a neighbour’s wheelie bins to cart large items away.

He said: “As it went on I thought I did not want to go into the garden because I was always looking to see what had been gone missing. I won’t let him win.”

Sergeant Adam Howell said: “This sensory garden is a space provided by and supported by the community. It’s for the enjoyment and benefits the most vulnerable people we have in the community of Evenwood.

“Why somebody would see fit to remove items is just beyond belief and I think the person responsible should look at their own conscience and do the right thing and return the items.”

  • Anyone with information should call police on 101.