AN “inconsiderate idiot” has been slammed for stealing a blue badge from a car parked at Basildon Hospital... while the owner underwent dialysis treatment for kidney failure.

Terry Hellen, 76, has been undergoing treatment for the last two years, which requires several trips to Basildon Hospital every week.

The vital dialysis treatment is effectively keeping Terry alive, but he was left furious on Tuesday after finishing a session to find his car had been broken into it.

At about 7am, Terry parked outside the renal unit at Basildon Hospital, using his blue badge.

However, when he came out after dialysis at about 11am, both his windows were open, and his blue badge was gone.

Terry said: “It has made me feel really sad because I really felt that people would have more respect than to steal something that many people need.

“I came out after my dialysis to find both windows in my two-door Audi open, and the blue badge missing.

“I have an immobiliser locking and with window left open, my car will not lock. It is an electrics mechanic opinion, that a device must have been used to immobilise my car and wind down the windows.

“I am 76, still able to drive, although my mobility isn’t great. Many are far worse.

“But it is already quite stressful having dialysis, without inconsiderate idiots.”

Terry says that Essex Police has been made aware of the incident, which is needed to facilitate a replacement badge.

He added: “It has been a hard two years, after an active life as a publican for 50 years.

“The nursing staff here are fantastic though - they keep us all going. We are, I suppose, a kind of family where sadly life expectancy is somewhat curtailed unless one is lucky. But to prolong your life means forgoing many of ones past luxuries. It is what it is.

“Without filtering blood, life expectancy would only be likely to be three to six months. So, it is literally a life saver.

“The nursing staff really deserve some praise.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We received a report a disability badge had been stolen from a vehicle, at Basildon Hospital, shortly after 11.45am on Tuesday, 17 October. The victim noticed his window was down, though he hadn’t left it down, and the badge was missing.”

Call 101 quoting 42/186709/23 with information.