Former Little Lever councillor has CAT converter stolen off car

Rees Gibbon, who was a councillor for Little Lever and Darcy Lever, came back to his car to find thieves had stolen the catalytic  converter was stolen off his car.

Mr Gibbon was visiting his wife Vivienne at Salford Royal Hospital where after spending three hours inside, came out to find his the catalytic converter had been stolen from his Toyota Yaris.

The 83-year-old only found out when he turned on the engine and could hear a loud noise.

Mr Gibbons wife has been in hospital since December 22 after suffering an aneurysm.

The hospital checked the CCTV footage after the police were informed but the cameras did not cover the area where the car was parked.

Mr Gibbon said: “I started the car and what a noise it was.

“Two security guards did come out to have a look and said it was definitely taken off the car.

“I drove it home from Salford Royal Hospital very carefully and took it to Halford’s in Bolton and they fixed it in 24 hours.

“I showed the crime reference number to the hospital, but they told me it was a blind spot and they’ve had similar cases like this in the past.”

It cost £1300 to repair the car.

Mr Gibbon visits his wife twice a day.

He sad said: “For someone to do this, what kind of low lives are they?

“It could be someone who has just had a bereavement and then to come out to this is terrible.

“But it’s life and there is nothing else we can do about it now.”

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He said: “My daughter drove me the next time I went and then I got a call saying the car was ready.

“I think they went above and beyond to get it ready for me so I’m pleased and grateful.

“My wife has been in hospital since December, so we’ve had a Christmas and new year we don’t want to repeat.

“But she is getting better and I am happy I have my car to visit again.”