CALLOUS burglars have left a blind girl heartbroken after stealing a machine that helps her learn to read.

And a furious head teacher hopes the "scum" who did it will either have a change of heart and return it or be made to suffer within their own criminal community.

The burglars stole the American-made APH tape recorder with special raised keys and variable speed settings which help nine-year-old Tayba Khan to learn to read in braille.

The recorder was one of a number of items, including sweets, stolen during the burglary at Hawthorns Junior School in St James Road, Blackburn.

"Whoever stole it must have known it was for a blind person, it's not an ordinary tape recorder and is of no use to anyone else," said head teacher John Orgill.

"It's sickening that someone would steal from the blind.

"Tayba's progress has been incredible. She is absolutely delightful and loves coming to school. For this to happen to her is appalling."

Her angry father Liaqat Khan, of Maple Street, Blackburn, said the recorder had made a world of difference to his daughter.

"How low can you get? It's disgusting for someone to steal from someone with special needs," he said.

"It's not for a party, it's for her education. Since she has gone to this school she has improved a lot.

"She records songs and poetry on the cassette and she's even recorded herself crying on it!"

The tape recorder has the serial number HNO 173 and anyone with any information about the burglary should contact Blackburn CID.

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