A SERIOUSLY ill pensioner has been left more than $3000 out of pocket after he became a victim of crime – twice.
Preston resident Paul Young purchased a trailer and toolbox in October, with the aim of doing some casual delivery work to supplement his pension.
That idea was dashed when thieves stole the trailer from his driveway just before Christmas.
To make matters worse, when Mr Young lodged a stolen item report with police, he discovered he had purchased the item "hot".
"I needed to get an income stream going because things are very tight on the pension. The thieves took the last hope I had to do something with myself in an effort to survive," he told MTW.
Mr Young purchased the trailer on eBay and registered it with VicRoads. He said he asked the government body to check the item's history, and was told it was not stolen. Mr Young believes he should be compensated for the trailer's worth as he said he asked VicRoads to check if it was stolen.
VicRoads Manager of Registration and Licensing Policy, Mario Cattapan, would not comment on the case due to privacy reasons.
Mr Young, 48, suffers from emphysema and has lung capacity of just 25 per cent. He said he has been left stressed by the dual-theft incident.
"It would have helped me get fit while I wait for a possible lung transplant. Why are some people so low?"
Mr Young urges anyone with information about the trailer to contact police.
Information to Crime Stoppers, 1800333000 or visit their website here.
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