‘It’s sickening’ - Thieves break in to Musselburgh joiner’s van and steal thousands of pounds worth of tools

A Paslode nail gun, DeWalt grinder, drills, batteries, chargers, a saw and a multi-tool were among the devices taken from Alec Kelly’s van in Musselburgh’s North High Street.

Police are investigating the theft which happened some time between 7pm on Sunday, January 3 and 6:30am on Monday, January 4.

Mr Kelly’s daughter, Trudie Murphy, told the Edinburgh Evening News that some of her father’s tools are marked in black with his nickname, KEL, and that she has been scouring websites such as Gumtree and eBay for anyone trying to sell them.

The 36-year-old, who is currently battling an inoperable brain tumour, said: “It’s happened at a time when you can not go out and earn money to replace tools that have been stolen. He doesn’t have an income to buy the stuff he needs to then go and make an income, while some little idiot out there is making money.

“My dad has been a joiner since he was 14 years old and has worked hard all of his life.”

The combined value of the stolen tools is thought to be several thousand pounds.

But Trudie said insurance does not cover the theft as the van was parked on the street.

She added: “If anyone has got my dad’s tools I would rather actually give them money myself and get them back, rather than this. It’s sickening.”

Trudie has also spoken to a friend whose relative’s work van was apparently targeted by thieves in Musselburgh, overnight Tuesday into Wednesday this week.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101.

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