A HEARTBROKEN care worker whose moped was stolen thought someone was playing a joke and moved it.

Sandra Rutherford, who works in The Grange, on Wood Street, Botcherby, expressed her anger and sadness at the theft, which resulted in the 26-year-old having to cut down her hours at work after her main mode of transport disappeared - just days before Christmas.

The theft occurred while her silver Peugeot moped was parked on Wood Street, Carlisle on Tuesday, December 11.

Sandra, who lives in Morton Park with her husband and two daughters, aged eight and 12, told the News & Star: “I had just finished work at 9.50pm and walked out of the office, towards where the bike was parked.

“I couldn’t see it at first, and thought someone had played a joke and moved it.

“I looked around the street, and that was when the panic started setting in.

“I was with my colleague and had no idea what to do.

“After calling the police, my colleague went straight back to the office to let the other staff know what’s happened.

“My panic soon turned to upset and anger, I couldn’t believe that people would do such a thing.”

Sandra, who has worked at The Grange for two months, is a support worker for people with learning disabilities and autism.

Once police arrived on the scene, she and a police officer scoured the nearby streets, looking in driveways and alleyways, hopeful that whoever took it, may have dumped it nearby.

But the search failed to find the bike.

She added: “I’m still able to work, but I’ve had to drop my hours because I’m not able to get there in the morning using public transport.

“That bike enabled me to be able to get to work for day shifts.

“My husband and I both work, and because of childcare needs, I’m not able to get there on time.

“I used to work around 32 hours a week, but now it is going to be around 20 hours instead.”

The bike has been in Sandra’s ownership for six months.

“I was working for another company delivering domiciliary care.

“When I was there, I looked after a wide variety of people that had various medical conditions, were physically disabled and elderly people.”

But Sandra is holding out hope that eagle-eyed locals will spot the moped, and lead to its return.

She added: “This bike was the only one of its kind in Carlisle, so hopefully someone noticed something.”

Police are appealing anyone who may have witnessed the theft, spotted the vehicle in Carlisle, or elsewhere in Cumbria, to get in touch.

Those with information about the missing moped are urged to make a report by calling 101, quoting log number 233.