Shameless pair stroll into shop and brazenly steal charity box for teen cancer sufferer
Cash was intended to help Kelly Turner, 16, travel to US for life-saving treatment
A PAIR of shameless thieves have been caught on camera stealing a charity box from a local newsagent.
Money in the box – totalling up to £75 – was intended to help a teenage cancer sufferer whose family are trying to fund her potentially life-saving treatment.
Kelly Turner, 16, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of the disease in October 2015.
British doctors refused to perform the risky surgery needed to save her because her tumours are too close to her liver.
That left Kelly’s distraught mum and dad Martin and Linda, from Dover, Kent, needing to raise £1million to travel to the US for the treatment.
But the heartless thieves didn’t seem to care what the money was for when they strolled into Bank Street News in Hythe.
As they approach the counter, the woman can be seen eyeing up the collection box.
She examines it closely, appearing to read the sign explaining what it is for.
But then she leans across the counter to pay for something, blocking the view of the cashier as the young man behind her makes his move.
He brazenly slides the box off the counter in one motion and puts it down on the floor.
He then takes his bag off his shoulder and puts the money inside before the pair turn and casually walk out.
Shop owner Mikin Patel, 30, slammed the “disgusting” pair.
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He told : “I just felt disgusted actually, that you try to help someone and someone can just walk in and think it belongs to them.”
Mikin said he first learned of the theft when an upset staff member called him after noticing the box was missing.
He said: “She told me the box has gone missing and she just felt a bit gutted and guilty that she didn't see it.”
Mikin went through the CCTV and found the shocking footage, which he passed on to police.
But since news of the theft spread, generous locals have all chipped in to replace the missing cash.
Around £40 was raised in the shop on Saturday morning and one regular who usually drops a pound in the box even handed over £100 in an envelope.
People from around the country have also been donating on Kelly’s page.
Police said they are investigating the theft and appealed for anyone with information to call Kent Police on 01843 222289 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting reference ZY/025644/16.
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