The father of 16-year-old disabled teenager has spoken of his family’s joy after she was reunited with her stolen voice machine thanks to Cash Converters.
The theft triggered a nationwide appeal four months ago – but it was not until May 5 that the culprits were arrested.
Speaking following the arrest of two men in connection with the theft, Paul Johnson of Pennycross, has revealed that the family never dreamed the specialist voice-generating laptop worth £6000 would ever be returned.
However, Plymouth Police have made two arrests and have returned the stolen voice machine to Miya, who is now able to use the machine which was especially adapted for her needs.
The original tweet was shared more than 65,000 times and celebrities … joined a fundraising campaign …
The laptop was stolen from a vehicle outside her family home and the theft received nationwide attention after dad Paul wrote about it on Twitter. The original tweet was shared more than 65,000 times and celebrities including Paul Gascoigne, Alan Shearer and Andy Murray subsequently joined a fundraising campaign set up by member of the public Jamie Twite to raise money for a replacement device.
The stolen Accent 1400 device, which Miya relied on to communicate with friends and family, was discovered at Plymouth Cash Converters on Saturday 5 May, by store supervisor Shane Lowe. Following a series of swift and strict security checks, Shane realised that the device in front of him once belonged to Miya and alerted local police and arrests followed.
The laptop was returned to Miya’s family on Bank Holiday Monday much to the delight of Miya who had missed the familiar technology of the machine that had been personally adapted for her needs. Miya’s father, Paul said:
“We are hugely grateful to Cash Converters for alerting the police and for recognising that the laptop was an invaluable, specialist voice converter device. This particular model is the one Miya finds easiest to use so we are really very relieved. Miya’s mum is about to give birth any day so we have two very special deliveries for the family!
He added:
“We would like to thank Plymouth Police for the prompt arrests too and a very special thanks to everyone, famous and not famous, who donated to the replacement fund which was so kindly set up.”
funds will go to updating Miya’s machine and a donation will be made to the Little Harbour Children’s Hospice
The replacement voice machine will be returned and the funds will go to updating Miya’s machine and a donation will be made to the Little Harbour Children’s Hospice in Saint Austell where Miya has received specialist care.
Mr Johnson added:
“Miya uses the hospice services at times and this money will be of tremendous help. They do incredible work with the kids.”
Mike Stevenson, the operations director at Plymouth Cash Converters, commented:
“Shane had an eagle eye and was quick-thinking. All our team is highly trained to spot anything that might be amiss when an item comes in. We have a great relationship with Devon and Cornwall Constabulary and work with them closely in cases like this.
“We never expected someone to have the audacity to bring the voice recorder into our store.”
