Owner of a tour boat is faced with an expensive repair bill after theft and vandalism

A BLACK Country canal boat owner has been left disheartened and faced with an expensive repair bill after vandals threw paint all over his beloved vessel and stole treasures collected over the years.

Returning from a walk, skipper Wayne Siverns – who has lived on the waterways for some 50 years – discovered his home had been broken into and valuable items, including pocket watches and antique brass items collected over decades, had been stolen. stolen.

Angered by the discovery, he went for another walk and when he returned there was more bad news. Vandals had covered the entire port side of his boat with gray paint.

The boat was moored at Wordsley Junction on the Stourbridge Canal when the incident happened during the day on Thursday, October 10.

Mr Siverns, who said he worked as a caretaker at King Edward VI College in Stourbridge, said he had received several types of help since the incident, but the proud Darlaston-born skipper said he would fund the repairs himself.

He said the incident had put him off staying in the Stourbridge area, but he said he has friends in the area, adding: “What else am I supposed to do?”

He told the News the incident had been reported to police, but West Midlands Police have not yet responded to a request for comment.