THE owner of an Italian restaurant in Weymouth is devastated after its delivery van was vandalised.

Michelangelo Shaseia, who owns Michelangelo Restaurant on Preston Road, said he was absolutely “distraught” when he found the three-wheeled van on its side with scratches and dents in the bodywork, petrol leaking and damage to its roof and paintwork.

Vandals struck when the van was parked on the roadside outside his friend’s house in Bowleaze Coveway.

He said he left his van there on a regular basis because his friend sometimes looked after it and he had never had any trouble before.

Mr Shaseia left the van in Bowleaze Coveway at 6pm and got a lift to his restaurant where he later received a call from a member of the public, who he refers to as a ‘good Samaritan’, at around midnight telling him of the damage to his van.

He said he believes it occurred sometime after 11pm because it was parked near the Spyglass pub and customers would have seen if it had happened before this time.

Mr Shaseia, who has owned the restaurant since 1991, said the van seems to be running fine mechanically but it needs to be checked over properly.

The van, that he bought new seven years ago and which he describes as “his baby”, is the Italian-made Piaggio Ape and has a personalised number plate which appears to read as Pizza.

The model translates into bumble bee in English, reflecting its small size and the sound of its engine.

Mr Shaseia said: “It is bruised and battered at the moment, the poor little thing, but I will definitely get it back on the road no matter what. It is a great little machine and customers and children love it because of its small size and the way it is on three wheels.

“Many people even ask to have photos taken with it because they find it so amusing – it is just such a fun van.

“I was absolutely distraught when I discovered what vandals had done because there is no reason for it.

“This was probably just one moment of stupidity but it could have been potentially very dangerous if people were outside smoking where the petrol had leaked.

“Why would anyone do this to any vehicle, what do they gain?”

The incident has been reported to the police and is being dealt with by PC Marc Newman, who is appealing for witnesses.

If you have any information call police on 01305 222222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.