A young boy has been left devastated today after a bike bought for him by his soldier stepfather on his return from a tour in Afghanistan was stolen.

Corporal Karl Mitchell, 25, bought the pit bike – a small motocross-type bike – for 11-year-old Evan Burton soon after he returned from a six-month stint in the war-torn country.

But just three weeks after it was purchased for him, it was stolen from their home in Parkeston Road, Felixstowe – along with Cpl Mitchell’s own pushbike.

Cpl Mitchell, of the 13th Air Assault regiment, based at Colchester, said: “I was gutted when I realised what had happened.

“In the morning, the gate was open and the shed door had been propped open with a bottle of water so we knew something had happened.

“The only time they would have seen it was when me and the little boy were out with it. They must have seen us – I’m gutted for him.”

Two bikes have been stolen from youngsters over the last few weeks after Ben Arnold, 13, had his stolen while he was with friends at the Spa Pavilion on May 12. His bike has still not been found.

Cpl Mitchell – who is due to marry Evan’s mum Nicki Ray, 34 and is already regarded as Evan’s stepfather – said he bought the bike for the youngster because he had shown a big interest in the sport and wanted to teach him how to ride.

“Evan’s always been interested in bikes so I thought I would get him a bike to teach him how to ride it - he had it for about three weeks before it was stolen,” he said.

Miss Ray added: “I felt sick when I realised what had happened. When I came out, I thought the shed would be empty. I’m surprised they left some stuff there.”

The bike is red and white and the pushbike is a silver and grey Carrera pushbike. They were both stolen from Parkeston Road between midnight and 7.20am on June 6.

If you have seen the bike or have any information contact the Crime Investigation Bureau on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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