Kasem 'very happy' to get e-bike back

Police have recovered a young disabled Dunedin boy's e-bike and returned it to his family.

Kasem Zarzar, a former refugee, said while he was at school in Dunedin on Tuesday, the bike was taken from behind a tree at his home in Pine Hill.

The 14-year-old lost one of his legs in a bomb attack in Syria, and said the bike changed his life by allowing him to ride with his friends and get up and down Pine Hill.

The bike was found yesterday afternoon by police at a nearby property after people contacted them with sightings and information.

Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen said the bike was returned to a very happy Kasem, undamaged, and with the lock still attached.

No one had been charged, but police were speaking to someone in relation to the theft.

Kasem and his family applied for funding for the $3500 electric bike, after he began to get very tired using his crutches throughout the day.

Four months later, and with the help of the Halberg Foundation, he received the bike - a day which he described as one of the best of his life.

"I was so happy, words could not describe."

Halberg Foundation lead adviser for Otago Bridget Meyer said the bike allowed Kasem to be independent, to go to school and to hang out with his friends.

Mother Nisrine Zarzar said the bike was very special for her son.

Through an interpreter she said that in the same attack that took Kasem's leg, her husband and three of her children were killed six years ago.

Mrs Zarzar said her sons Kasem and 5-year-old Mohammed and their happiness were the most important thing.