BURGLARS stole an iPad Mini given by a charity to a disabled girl.

Between 8pm and 12.15am on Friday and Saturday, a window was forced at Leale Horne’s house in Buglers Rise, Writtle, before crooks took the device from her bedroom.

Last year the Make A Wish Foundation gave Leale the computer tablet to play with during her stays at hospital.

The nine-year-old was born with meningitis and has to attend hospital regularly for operations including plastic surgery and treatment on her leg.

Her mother Lisa, 28, said Leale loved the iPad which she took on all her hospital stays to play games, take pictures and make videos on.

Mrs Horne said: “Leale is absolutely devastated and she has also been made scared because she can’t understand why someone has gone into her bedroom to take that.

“She’s asking me whether people will come into the house while we’re inside – that is how much it has frightened her.

“Whoever did this is scum. You cannot go any lower than stealing from a disabled girl’s bedroom.

“If they had taken my TV or car keys I would be less upset than I am now. She loved her iPad and she would have killed me if I had looked at the videos she makes with her friend on there.”

Essex Police are investigating the incident and have put out an appeal for witnesses.

Anyone with information is urged to contact PC Dan Bennington or his colleagues at Chelmsford police station on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.