Callous thieves have left a disabled toddler housebound after stealing the family's car which contained her wheelchair.
The culprits targeted the Kilmarnock home of the McCulloch family and stole a White Range Rover sport from outside the property on Wellpark Avenue at around 12.45am today.
Inside the car was a children's wheelchair for little Alba McCulloch, 3, who is paralysed from the waist down.
Devastated mum Katie McCulloch said she and husband Joe were getting their children dressed for nursery when he realised their vehicle wasn't in the driveway.
She told the Record: "We were getting the kids ready to go to nursery and my husband Joe went to go out to the car and said 'where's the car'. I thought he was joking.
"My daughter is paralysed from the waist down so she relies on that wheelchair 100% to get around."
The culprits struck at the Kilmarnock home on Wellpark Avenue and a neighbour witnessed the car, with the registration K88 HUT, speeding off in the direction of London Road around 12.45am today.
A neighbour witnessed the vehicle speed off in the direction of London Road.
Katie said her faith inhumanity has been "completely destroyed" after the incident.
She continued: "Alba spends slot of time in hospital, her recent stay was nearly six months in intensive care in the Queen Elizabeth Sick Kids.
"We have only just came out of shielding and been allowed to send Alba back to nursery now - without her wheelchair she can’t see all her friends at nursery which she has missed so much."
The couple have an emergency appointment for another wheelchair but they need to wait until Tuesday, leaving Alba stuck inside the house for at least five days.
Making a direct appeal to the thieves, Katie, 31, said: "Have a heart - you've completely taken a little girls independence away from her. If you have any heart then at least leave the wheelchair at the side of the road.
"Please give us it back. The car back would be fabulous but we need the chair.
"If anyone has any information at all on what happened then please get in touch."
Police Sergeant Deans from the DAVRU at Kilmarnock Police Office said: "We are carrying out extensive enquiries in relation to the reported incident which occurred on Wellpark Avenue, Kilmarnock.
“The motor vehicle contained specialised equipment for the reporters 2 children.
"The vehicle contained a child’s wheelchair which is distinctive with pink princess wheels and ballerina stickers. There was also a set of 'blue hey duggee' half leg splints.
"These items are of significant importance to the family and in particular to the children.
“I am appealing to local people who may have seen the vehicle or someone acting suspiciously in the area and I would urge those who have private space CCTV, ring door bells or dash cam to check their footage and if you have any information which may help to get in touch.
"Anyone who may have seen anything is also encouraged to get in touch."
Anyone with information is being urged to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 0513 of 5th May 2021.
Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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