Schoolboy's stolen Christmas bike returned '“ in time for his birthday

Josh Tiffin had been left devastated when thieves rode away with his new bike in January.

His mum Janet had saved up to buy her son a Carrera Avenger, which cost £480.

But Josh was able to enjoy just a few weeks with his beloved bike before thieves broke the lock and took it.

As a result of a police investigation though, a man has been charged with theft, and the bike has since been found and returned to Josh.

He was over the moon to receive it back just a day before his 14th birthday.

Mrs Tiffin, 53, from Stirling Avenue, Jarrow, said: “Josh was over the moon to get it back.

“With it being his birthday the next day, it came at the perfect time for him.

“I had been trying to get a cheaper bike for his birthday, as I couldn’t afford to fork out for another Carrera Avenger, so for it to return was fantastic.

“His face lit up when he realised.

“He had been so delighted at Christmas to get it, because it was all he had asked for. I worked really hard to get it for him.

“He was devastated that it was taken, but he has loved having it back.”

After getting the bike back, work had to be done on it to fix a puncture.

Mrs Tiffin has hailed the officers involved in the case.

She added: “The police worked really hard on it, and we’re so grateful for everything they did.

“I hope this urges other people to make reports to the police when things like this happen. You may think there is no hope of getting stolen property back, but the police were brilliant with us.

“My son had been so upset to be without his bike, but to get it back has left him over the moon.”

Richard Anthony Oliver, 28, of no fixed abode, has been charged with theft and will appear at court later this month.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: “We were only too pleased to return the bike to Josh.”