Thieves have stolen "one of the few joys" left in a disabled youth's life.

They raided a specially adapted van used to transport Kieran Hemestretch, 21, and stole a collection of CDs.

Kieran has adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a rare genetic brain disorder which has left him quadriplegic, blind and unable to communicate apart from smiles and groans.

His mum Kathy said: "Fortunately his hearing is excellent. One of the few joys left in life is listening to music and stories at home and when he is in the van."

The van was broken into some time on Friday December 15 or Saturday December 16.

Thieves stole all the CDs, the front of the CD player and a fire extinguisher from the vehicle despite the fact it was parked in a disabled bay outside the family's home in Elm Drive, Hove.

They took no notice of the fact that the van had clearly been adapted to carry a wheelchair, with a ramp and straps to hold the wheelchair in place.

About 75 CDs were taken, including the soul, rhythm and blues and reggae music Kieran likes to listen to.

CDs belonging to Kathy, her husband Ian, an electronics engineer, and younger son Pearse, 14, were also taken.

The family estimate the cost of re- placing the haul would be around £700.

Kathy, a full-time carer for Kieran, said: "The music stolen belonged to all the family. The police have been wonderful but we don't hold out much hope of getting our property back.

"I can't believe that thieves could be so cruel.

"However, they won't get us down or spoil our Christmas as we have so much to be happy about. I doubt that is the same for the thieves. If they can stoop that low they must already have miserable lives and should be pitied."

A faulty gene is responsible for Keiran's condition. The disorder was diagnosed in 1995 when he was a bright and healthy ten-year-old.

Within seven months his condition deteriorated dramatically and he lost speech, movement and sight and is now registered blind. He also has epilepsy and other complications.

The illness was made famous by the film Lorenzo's Oil, which told the story of two parents desperate to find a cure when their son developed ALD. The oil they discovered can be used to help sufferers in the early stages. Unfortunately, Kieran's brain was already too damaged to react to it.