‘Worked my butt off’: Brazen crim destroys Christmas bikes

A single mother of two from Gladstone has vented her frustration after two bikes she gave as Christmas presents to her disabled daughters were badly damaged.

A single mother of two daughters who share a rare genetic disability has vented her frustration after two bikes she purchased them for Christmas were destroyed.

Cassy Lavin-Reiha’s daughters Ella Mae, 6, and Indi Grace, 7, suffer from Usher syndrome, which is a genetic disease that took six years for doctors to diagnose.

Ms Lavin-Reiha said it affected her daughters in several ways, including their sight, hearing, cognitive development delays and even muscle tone.

“Basically it is like having toddlers in six and seven year old bodies, Indi is predominantly non-verbal so we are reliant on sign language,” Ms Lavin-Reiha said.

On New Year’s Eve Ms Lavin-Reiha’s home was broken into by a man.

She said it was lucky no one was home at the time.

“Given the spike in Covid-19 cases here, the girls’ dad and I decided it was a good idea for me to take them back to Brisbane,” Ms Lavin-Reiha said.

“No one was home at the time he broke in, which was probably between 4pm and 2am on New Year’s Eve.”

Cassy Lavin-Reiha's daughters had their bikes destroyed and badly damaged during a man's brazen break-in on New Year’s Eve.

The man stole household items including an ashtray, cushions and barbecue utensils, however, the greatest loss was the bikes which cost a combined $250.

“Ella’s bike was the one which was most damaged, I couldn’t fix it as it was wedged into my security fencing,” Ms Lavin-Reiha said.

“Indi’s bike sustained damage caused by a grown man sitting on it, but we are hopeful of getting it fixed soon.

“The cost wasn’t the issue for me, it was the fact that someone had been on the balcony of my home.”

However, in an odd twist to the saga, Ms Lavin-Reiha noticed an envelope under her door on January 3 which turned out to be full of cash and an apology letter.

The note the man left at the house of Cassy Lavin Reiha after destroying and badly damaging her daughter's bikes.

“I was a little bit disappointed that the person didn’t knock on the door but it’s just nice to know they are remorseful for their actions,” she said.

“I’m happy with any money I got back, I’m assuming it was just a young fella who had woken up regretting his decisions after having too much to drink.”