A DISABLED pigeon fancier today spoke of his distress after 18 of his racing birds were stolen from his back garden.

Neil Puffett

A DISABLED pigeon fancier today spoke of his distress after 18 of his racing birds were stolen from his back garden.

Confined to a wheelchair and receiving dialysis three days a week, 59-year-old Malcolm Ransom, who lives in the Gainsborough area of Ipswich, returned from Ipswich Hospital earlier this month to find thieves had taken some of his prized birds.

The theft happened between 8am and 5.30pm on Thursday, August 7, when the female pigeons were taken from a locked shed.

Mr Ransom, who has been keeping pigeons since he was a teenager and still has around 90 others, said: “The lock was still on the front of the shed so I have no idea how they got in.

“This has never happened before and is very upsetting.

“I'm concerned about leaving the house now because they may come back.”

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said the theft was being investigated.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Pc Tim Gregory on 01473 613500.

Have you been the victim of a pet or animal theft? Call The Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324788 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk