A DISABLED schoolboy has lost two dearly-loved pet rabbits after thugs broke into his garden and beheaded them.

Lee Steege, 13, awoke to be told Gizmo and Emily had been killed, decapitated and their heads stolen in the middle of the night.

The Cedar School pupil, who uses a wheelchair because he has cerebral palsy, said he was distraught, upset and confused by the cruel actions of the thugs responsible.

Schoolgirl Jordan Lockwood, who lives next door at Evenlode Road, Millbrook, Southampton, was the first person to spot the dead rabbits when she peered into Lee's garden from her upstairs flat balcony.

The nine-year-old rushed sobbing to her mother Alison, who quickly went to tell Lee and his mother Karen.

Mrs Steege said: "My neighbour came and knocked on the door and when I saw her face I realised what was wrong.

"I couldn't go out there. I couldn't. My neighbour went out there and when she came back, said 'I'm phoning the police'."

"I just burst into tears. I was screaming in the hallway."

Police called to the scene believe the intruders got into the garden by climbing over the garage roof.

Lee said he heard some kind of commotion at about 10pm as he lay in bed going to sleep.

He said: "They must have known the rabbits were here because they wouldn't have just come in otherwise.

"Only a sick person could have done this - a sick person who's got the guts to do it."

"I'd like to get my hands on them."

The mother and son warned other families in the area to be on their guard.

Lee added: "If they've done it once they can surely do it again."

A third rabbit, Thumper, who used to belong to Jordan, was left untouched.

A police spokesman said: "We can't think of an explanation unless they're trophy hunters. This sort of thing hardly ever happens."

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Shirley police by calling 0845 045 4545 or call the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.