A Scots mum has been left distraught after opportunist thieves stole from her open car while she unloaded her shopping.
Louise Leach, 57, was taking groceries from her car into her home in Leith, Edinburgh, when the callous thieves struck.
The single mum got distracted by her dog and when she returned to her vehicle she discovered her belongings had been taken.
Amongst the stolen designers goods were showroom furniture samples from her work - which would have been worthless to the scandalous thieves, but to the working mum the blow has affected her ability to bring in income and put food on the table.
Louise explained: "I was unloading other stuff and got distracted sorting out my dog in the house when the stuff was taken.
"I managed to source replacement samples from a rep who happens to be leaving his role and is returning his kit - It's a six hour round trip."
Louise says she's gutted someone could be so cruel and petty - especially during such a difficult time in the pandemic.
She really struggled to feed her kids and scrimped to keep their household running throughout lockdown - nearly having to go on benefits.
Taking to Facebook, she said: "Thank you to whomever broke into my car to steal my work samples - I have no idea how useful a few drawer front/samples are going to be to you but I wish you well with them.
"I am a self employed sales designer and a single parent - during lockdown I couldn’t work - I used my savings and buckled my belt to avoid needing to depend on benefits and was just about managing.
"As with everyone else I am facing a huge hike in the cost of living and until I get all this sorted I will be unable to earn anything which is going to take a couple of weeks.
"To the rest of the world what was taken was relatively worthless but to me they are my bread and butter and as such you have literally taken the food off my table and the light and heat out of my home.
"I am not angry, I am only sad that you are so desperate to do such a thing.
"I truly hope that whatever ails you to make you behave like this will improve for you and that you find peace and joy in a better place soon. My thoughts and prayers are with you."
Due to the nature of the crime, Louise decided it would be a waste of police time to report the theft.
She added: "I didn’t want to bother them over stuff that has no monetary value and no damage to the car.
"There are people out there who need police support much more than me and I would never want to be a distraction to that."
