A TEN-YEAR-OLD boy with epilepsy had his bike stolen at a shopping centre.

It is the third time Michael Richards, who lives in Hatherley Road in Nythe, has had his bike taken.

His BMX was stolen by a 15-year-old boy who befriended him at the Greenbridge retail park.

The thief approached Michael, who suffers from absence epilepsy which causes brief lapses in consciousness, and chatted with him for 20 minutes, introducing himself as John.

He talked to him about music and said he liked the black bike.

Then he suddenly got up and rode off with it, despite Michael shouting after him.

The BMX was a birthday present from his parents and was less than a year old.

Michael, who is the second oldest of four brothers, said: "I can't understand why he would want to do this.

"What is the point in stealing someone's bike?

"I was pretty shocked and didn't know what to do."

The Nythe Primary School pupil is desperate to get his prized possession back.

"I'm not sure why he did it," he said.

"I have been walking, jogging and running but it's not the same - I miss my bike.

"I would like him to know I want my bike back."

Three years ago Michael left his bike outside a friend's house on a cyclepath in Westview and it was taken. The same thing happened a year later.

Nobody was around at the time of the latest theft at 4.30pm last Friday.

Michael's 37-year-old mum Wendy is furious.

She said: "His epilepsy is under control with medication so he was able to ride around and have lots of freedom from doing so.

"He didn't ride on the roads but used to enjoy riding round the estate and sometimes even to school but now he can't.

"He is now unable to get the exercise he needs in an unsupervised capacity.

"I have phoned the police but as he was unhurt or he wasn't threatened we haven't seen the police at all."

On Friday, the Adver reported that a 13-year-old boy had his bike stolen in Buckhurst Fields in Walcot.

Anyone with information about the theft can contact Swindon police on 0845 408 7000.