Bag thieves may force pupil into retake

A SCHOOLBOY faces the prospect of doing all his GCSE coursework again after two bags containing his work were stolen from his father's Ipswich office.

Fifteen-year-old Daine Lomas was unable to hand in a chemistry GCSE project on Tuesday after losing the two bags.

The year 11 pupil of Ipswich School, who is due to take his GCSE exams next year, also lost textbooks and a physics book that contained two years of work.

He had left the bags unattended for just ten minutes in the reception area of Michael Smith and Co solicitors, on St Margaret's Green. The bags went missing between 5.10pm and 5.20pm on Monday while Daine was upstairs speaking to his father.

The bags also contained some designer sports gear but more important to Daine is the GCSE coursework.

Mother Linda Lomas said: "He was due to hand in his chemistry project and he is in quite a state about it. The school has been brilliant though. They have been rushing around getting books photocopied and he has got another week to do his chemistry project.

"If people find the bags I would ask them to hand them in. I am sure that they would want to keep the sports gear, and they can have it, but I am just asking that they don't chuck the bags away."

The two bags, one which was made by Helly Hanson and the other by Clive, contained two years worth of GCSE coursework in various subjects, including physics, French, German, chemistry and biology.

Mrs Lomas said they have no idea who stole the bags, although four boys who were sitting outside disappeared after the bags went missing.

She said: "They heard somebody downstairs but thought it was the receptionist leaving. She left at 5.15pm so they were really only unattended for five minutes."

If anyone has any information about the incident or finds the bags, please call 01473 271538.