CALLOUS burglars broke in to a boxing trainer’s house just weeks after he suffered a stroke and was diagnosed with skin cancer.

The crooks broke in to Frank Doyle’s house in Middle Crockerford, Vange, and stole his wife’s handbag, containing £300, and his son’s car.

Frank runs the Pitsea and Vange Boxing Club and has helped hundreds of youngsters from the local area down the years.

He is calling for anyone with information to contact him or the police.

He said: “It’s heartbreaking to think I have helped so many kids in the area and then some little scumbag or druggie has broken in to my house.

“I suffered a heart attack on Boxing Day which was also my 70th birthday.

“Then a couple of weeks ago, I found I had skin cancer so I was just getting over that and now this has happened.”

The thieves broke in to Mr Doyle’s house between 1am and 5am on Saturday by forcing the front door.

They snatched Mrs Doyle’s handbag, which contained £300 cash, and Mr Doyle’s son’s car.

Neighbours found Mrs Doyle’s handbag dumped in the street on Saturday afternoon – her purse and bank cards were still inside, but the cash had been taken.

The car, a green Ford Focus, was found in Ryedene on Saturday morning.

He said: “These scumbags came in and knicked my wife’s handbag, took the car keys and then my son’s car.

“My wife is shattered by it.

She keeps breaking down in tears and waking up in the night because she is frightened.

“I founded the boxing club ten years ago and I have lived here for 47 years. I know most people around here and I never thought this would happen to us.”

Essex Police are investigating the burglary. Anyone with information can call Basildon CID on 101.