@emilyhstott

The victim of a car theft in Woodnesborough is urging drivers not to leave spare keys in their vehicles.

Robert Carvey, of Balmoral Road, Margate, was visiting his mother at her flat in The Old Vicarage in Woodnesborough when his car was taken, driven down the road and smashed into a parked car on February 19 at 7pm.

Mr Carvey, 40, said he had left the door of his Ford Focus unlocked. He believes a group of teenagers searched inside and found his spare key hidden under the seat.

They took the car and crashed it 20 minutes later, causing more than £1,500 worth of damage.

He added: “They had the car for 20 minutes and stole a second hand iPod. They attempted to remove the stereo but couldn’t seem to unplug it.

“They left some expensive ice skates in the car and took a manky duvet instead.

“They must have been looking for coins that drop out of pockets when they found the key under the seat.”

A neighbour alerted him after hearing the teenagers discussing stealing the car.

Mr Carvey said he hoped to stop others making the same mistake: “Even if I can stop one other person leaving keys in the car, even hidden, then it’s worth it.

“There’s not a chance I would do that again but you live and learn at least they didn’t hurt me or anyone else.”

If anyone has any information contact police on 101 and quote reference number ZY/5319/14.

For the full story read this week's East Kent Mercury.