AN eight-year-old was left distraught after Christmas presents left on the doorstep outside his home were stolen by heartless crooks.

The gifts were left outside Ruth Bugg’s property, in Plume Avenue, Colchester, on Christmas Eve, by a festive spirited elderly neighbour.

The presents, a Star Wars Lego set and a box of chocolates, were meant for Ms Bugg’s son Hayden, who has sensory processing disorder, and is being tested for autism and ADHD.

However before he could unwrap or even lay his eyes on the gifts they were taken from the doorstep where they had been left.

Ms Bugg said: “It is not so much the value of the presents it is the principle.

“It is blatant what they have done, it was obvious what the present was for.

“Christmas is a big deal for Hayden and he takes everything to heart.

“When he gets upset he will self harm and when he found out he would not eat that evening.

“It took me a long time to talk him round.

“Any child would be upset but when it comes to Lego, which is one of his obsessions, he gets a bit more sensitive.”

Hayden and his mother were visiting Colchester Zoo on the afternoon of Christmas Eve when their neighbour, who had just been discharged from hospital, left the present at the property.

Ms Bugg believes the presents must have been taken by opportunist thieves who couldn’t help themselves between 3pm and 4.30pm.

“It made it worse my neighbour had just been rushed to hospital but still made the effort to bring the present round,” she said.

“Even though she was ill she took the time to get him a present which is so sweet.

“I do not understand the mentality of these people is - it is not exactly in the Christmas spirit.

“It the principle of someone doing it in such a blatant fashion.”

Following a Facebook post, some kind-hearted residents of Colchester offered to replace the items out of their own pocket.

Ms Bugg said: “I put a post on Facebook to see if anyone had seen anything around the time.

“I have had so many comments on the post, some very strongly worded about the people who did it.

“I have had several people contact me who have offered boxes of sweets and chocolates for Hayden.

“It is amazing because these are people I have never met before in my life.

“It has restored my faith in humanity a bit.

“There really are more nice people out there than horrible.”

Ms Bigg reported the incident to Essex Police.

Any witnesses or anyone with information should contact Essex Police on 101.