Couple's dream trip scuppered by theft of their motorcycle

Elizabeth Johnson, 25, and her husband Brett, 27, saved up for months to buy a classic bike for the planned six-week trip over Christmas and New Year. But their dream turned to a nightmare when the Yamaha Tenere FT2750 was stolen from the courtyard by their house in De Cham Road, St Leonards, last month, and written off.

It put paid to the couple’s plans to drive down through Europe - a great adventure for the childhood sweethearts whose baby is due in July.

Mrs Johnson told the Observer: “We had saved up for the new bike for about eight months and done a lot of research for the trip.

The plan was to head south as far as we could, down into Spain. It was going to be the trip of a lifetime, a great chance to have some fun camping out.

“When we realised the bike was missing we were devastated but then we phoned the police and they said they had found it so we thought it might have a few scratches but it would be OK. But then we discovered it had been completely written off and we were crying, physically crying.”

To make matters worse the duo then found out their insurance policy didn’t cover theft and so they have been left high and dry.

“You can’t just up and leave when you have a child so this was our last chance. We were so excited about going but now our Christmas plans have completely changed,” she added.

Police have arrested a 16-year-old local boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and charged him with aggravated vehicle taking.

He was taken to the Conquest Hospital after crashing the bike on the seafront and is due in court today, Friday, to answer the charge, weather permitting.