A MOTHER has been left without vital support for her disabled teenage son after burglars made off with the family’s specially-adapted vehicle.

Joanne Hall, who woke terrified to be confronted by one of the raiders as she slept on a sofa in her house, said: “They have ruined everything.

“The car was specially adapted for my son Cameron, who has cerebral palsy.

“We can’t take him to hospital appointments or anywhere else. He has been very upset by it as well.”

Raiders crept into their detached house Witton Garth, Peterlee, County Durham, through an adjoining garage at 10.30pm on Friday (October 24).

Ms Hall was sleeping on a sofa in the living room, while her partner, Chris Kitching and her 18-months-old daughter, Olivia were asleep in their rooms. Fifteen-year-old Cameron was with relatives for the night.

Ms Hall said: “I awoke startled and saw someone through the glass door which I thought was my Chris. Then I looked my side and saw another man with a hood over his face.

“I jumped up and screamed and they ran down the stairs. When Chris ran downstairs they were gone.”

Ms Hall said one or both managed to escape with the keys to their VW Caravelle – registration NX 14 OBO – which they then drove away.

The people carrier, which is white in colour is valued at about £50,000 and has been specially adapted with a lift in the rear to allow independent access for Cameron.

The vehicle was running low on fuel it may have needed to stop for diesel nearby. There have been no sightings of it since Friday night.

The burglars also made off with a laptop was taken, a Levian 14ct strawberry gold engagement ring and a white iPad Air which was still wrapped and in its box - meant to be a Christmas present for Cameron.

Detective Inspector Dave Cuthbert said; “The family are being put through a huge amount of stress and inconvenience as a result of the burglary. If anyone thinks they have seen the vehicle on the roads at any time we would urge them to contact us.”

Anyone with information should ring the crime team at Peterlee via 101 or Crimestoppers, 0800-555-111.