THIEVES deprived a young Sidmouth rugby captain of his valued run-around when they stole a moped and lobbed it into a river.

A-levels student Barney St Anton, 18, slogged in a sandwich kitchen all summer to be able to afford the motorcycle – and branded its demise as a “sick joke”.

Culprits made off with the Suzuki Katana 50 from outside Barney’s Alexandria Road home while he was revising inside on December 13.

The Sidmouth Colts skipper thinks offenders took the moped off of its stand, wheeled it down Winslade road, across to Sid Park Road and then dumped it in the River Sid at the Byes.

“I’ve been left, at Christmas, without the moped I worked hard all summer in Nosh for, no money to replace it, and no way of getting to school,” said Barney.

“Angry, upset and confused I accepted that someone had stolen it and I would never see it again.

“But I was shocked the next day then when my friend told me she’d seen a moped in the river while on her way to school.

“She took a photo – and I realised it was mine.”

The motorcycle was eventually recovered, but excessive water damage meant it had to be scrapped.

Barney bought the moped for �300, and also paid out for repairs, only three-and-a-half months ago.

The teenager said his insurance will not cover the costs and he’s been left with no way of getting to Colyton Grammar School when term re-starts in the New Year.

“I’m really shocked this has happened. I don’t cause trouble in town and can’t think why anyone would do this to me,” he added.

“The moped was really hard to get, and now it’s gone.

“When I go back to school I’ll have to pinch lifts here and there and rely on other people.”

The theft took place on Tuesday, December 13, between 9pm and 10.30pm.

Barney hopes anyone who saw the moped being taken to the Byes, or has any information on the crime, will contact police by dialling 101.