Handyman left counting cost of Telford tools theft
Thieves stole all the tools belonging to a handyman during a raid on his home in Telford.
Darren Beaman, 41, from Madeley, said he was now struggling to keep his business running. He said he was now only able to work if he could borrow tools from clients and was having to turn down jobs.
The father-of-two, who runs Mr Fix-It, lost about 30 tools and pieces of equipment when thieves broke into his van, garage and shed on September 20, costing him £5,000.
He said: "It was the worst day. I went to bed and they must have been about 10ft away while they were in the garage but they were so silent.
"They took all my tools, my mountain bike, the children's bikes and my son's golf clubs.
"He's been having lessons, and the club says he's probably one of the best eight year olds they've seen.
"The worst thing was I usually keep some of the tools in the house because I've been doing it up, but that day I'd tidied everything up and put it all away, so I've got nothing left.
"The replacement cost of all the items taken would be close to £5,000.
"I was under-insured for my tools and I can't afford to replace them all.
"I offered free work to pensioners and half price work to single mothers. I keep getting calls, but I won't be able to do this again until after Christmas at the earliest now. I hate to turn people down, but I can't do the work without my tools."
Mr Beaman said some of the tools were marked with 'dazzb' and several had been repaired or had adjustments made to them which would make them easily identifiable.
Anyone with information can call PC 106 Bob Powell in Telford on 101.
