THIEVES have piled on the misery for a crippled teenager.

An injury sustained in a fall while playing football 18 months ago left 13-year-old Bradley Morris unable to walk.

Not only did he dislocate his hip crashing to the ground but the joint irreparably crumbled.

Too young for a plastic hip the previously active schoolboy has been confined to a wheelchair - that was, until, four yobs, not much older than Bradley stole it.

A horrified neighbour, watched helplessly as four youths ran off, laughing along Coniston Avenue, Redcar, with one of them sitting in the black and red NHS chair.

Bradley's parents Steven and Mandy Morris have been left angered after the theft left their son a virtual prisoner in his home.

A Cleveland Police spokesman said: "It was a particularly mean and despicable theft. It beggars belief that someone could do something like this.''

Mrs Morris said: "Everyone where we live are keeping an eye out for the chair which was from Middlesbrough General Hospital and costs between £400 and £500. I am obviously upset for Bradley. It is just horrendous and these people don't understand what they have done."

Bradley may have to wait two weeks before he leaves the house again - the length of time it could take for another chair to be delivered.

The youngster is to be the subject of a pioneering operation carried out by two paediatric surgeons who will fuse bone on bone in an attempt to give Bradley some mobility.

Mother of four, Mrs Morris said: "Even if the operation is a fantastic success - and we hope it will be - he will never be able to run again.''

The theft occurred at about 4.30pm on Wednesday. Anyone who can help give police information is asked to telephone (01642) 302626.