A devastated Scots driver returned to his car after a walk on the beach to find it completely destroyed and covered in blood. Jose Diogo Palhais Frade, who lives in Cumbernauld, had travelled to Irvine beach with a friend on June 12 after finishing his early shift as a factory worker.
After going for a relaxing stroll and taking in the stunning west coast views, the pair decided to head home for the day. However, when they returned to the car, they found the windows had been smashed and the passenger seat was on fire.
A shocked Jose rushed to put out the small blaze before immediately calling police. The motorist, who moved to Scotland from Portugal, also saw blood on the windows and inside the car.
Speaking to Glasgow Live, he said: "I didn't have my glasses on so I was confused that my car didn't have windows. When I got closer to the car I realised the passenger seat was on fire. I managed to put the fire out quickly.
"They smashed the windows and it seemed like they tried to hotwire the car. There seemed to be blood on the windows and inside the car. The police have taken away my car to carry out an investigation. I'm just waiting to find out what's happening."
Jose's vehicle had been gifted to him by his brother at the beginning of the year. It quickly became a lifeline for him, allowing him to easily travel to work and make extra cash over the weekend.
However, he has now been left without a car for over a week and is also out of pocket due to items stolen from his vehicle by the callous vandals. He said: "Luckily I have colleagues giving me a lift to work and I am able to walk to the shops.
"I didn't have my home keys on me after they broke into my car so I needed to call a locksmith to bust the door open and replace the lock, which I had to pay for as well. On the weekends I've been working at a parcel warehouse to make a bit more money.
"Normally there is a lot of overtime during the week at my day job but there hasn't been a lot going recently. So working part-time at the weekend has been really helpful."
Jose isn't sure if or when police will be able to return his vehicle, which will require significant repairs or may need to be written-off completely. In the mean time, he has set up a GoFundMe page to help him purchase a new vehicle.
Jose wrote on the page: "All the money I can raise will be going to help me buy a cheap car. My problem at the moment, not counting the bills, is this suzuki ignis is not worth much for the insurance and they are still taking £500 excess fees, so I will be getting more less 600 pounds and that will not get me a ready-to-go car. From the heart all the best and thanks for reading this and if you can donate it will be appreciated so much."
Police Scotland have been contacted for comment.
To find out more about the GoFundMe, click here
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