Terry Broad's wife, Muriel, is dying with lung cancer, and he was made redundant by PPCS earlier this year.
On Tuesday night, a 16-year-old runaway from Child Youth and Family is alleged to have stolen and caused up to $2000 damage to the car he bought for his daughter when she returned home from London a month ago to help him look after her mother.
Mr Broad, a postal worker, said he was just back on an even keel after several turbulent months including losing his job and his wife's cancer getting worse, when "this went and happened".
"I just have to think what have I done to deserve this? Why me?"
"My daughter looked so good in that car with her 7-year-old son alongside her and to go out there and see it with a big boot mark in the side . . . it's just senseless.
"What did they have to do that for?"
The immaculate 1985 Laser 1300 was taken from where it was parked outside Mr Broad's house early yesterday.
Police said the teenager alleged to have taken the car then picked up some friends and took them for a joyride.
The teenager was later arrested while doing "donuts" on Union St.
The car was returned to Mr Broad some hours later with screwdriver stab marks in the dashboard, a damaged ignition switch, large dents in panels on three of the car's doors, a missing gearstick knob and missing speakers.
When approached after the alleged thief, who cannot be named because of his age, appeared in the Dunedin Youth Court yesterday on charges including unlawfully taking his 1985 Laser 1300, Mr Broad was reluctant to speak.
"This has been a real setback for me. But people should know the effect [of] what they do . . . on people."
He was under no illusion his story would dissuade those who stole his car from doing the same sort of thing again, but if it could make someone think twice about doing something similar to someone else, he would be happy.
"This is just senseless vandalism. It is the last thing we need.
"My wife goes into the hospice next week and we've got enough to think about."
