Special olympians targeted by thieves

Napier police are yet to recover the belongings. Photo / File

Judith Bradley broke down in tears when thieves struck while she was away competing in a sports event.

The Wanganui woman was in a group of Special Olympians from Wanganui who had gone to Napier to play indoor bowls.

Miss Bradley said the group's hire van was packed with all their belongings ready to return to Wanganui on Sunday when thieves broke a window in the van and stole five bags. Five athletes lost their special evening clothes and all their toiletries.

Miss Bradley, who lives independently, said she now had trouble sleeping.

"I can't go to sleep because I miss my stuff and I won't get it back. They won't get the person who did it," said a distressed Miss Bradley.

"My favourite top was in there. They have hurt us. They should not do this, they should treat us as equal."

Miss Bradley, who has just celebrated her 50th birthday, has worked at Wanganui Collegiate in the school dining room for 23 years.

"Luckily, I did not have my gold watch in the bag," she says of the timepiece she was given from the school for her long service.

She receives payment that tops up her benefit, and pays secondary tax.

"I put the money toward after-trip dos and pay for my dental care.

On Tuesday night, Napier police had not recovered the belongings, but were progressing with their investigations.