A BOXING club’s owner has been left “gutted” after his gym which helps keep youngsters off the streets was broken into and £150 used to pay the bills stolen.

Steve Sims, 55, turned up at the Alway and Ringland Boxing Club on Lliswerry Road, Newport, at 5pm last Wednesday and discovered the cash missing.

Having searched for the money with his colleague, they noticed a side door had been forced open and damaged.

“I couldn’t believe it,” said Mr Sims. “I was in shock when I found out that someone could do it.

“There was loads of new equipment in the gym but they didn’t touch any of that, they’ve just gone straight for the money.

“Nothing like this has ever happened here before. I can’t put into words how gutted I am for everyone but I won’t let something like this stop us opening for the children.”

The boxing classes are run alongside keep-fit classes held every night of the week by Mr Sims. He charges just £1.50 per session to anyone that wishes to attend in a bid to cover costs.

He said: “This gym gives the children something to do and keeps them off the streets for a very small price. The money was going to be used to pay the gas and electric.

“But now all the money that people have paid has gone.

“We’ve got a good committee at the club who could maybe help but if it comes to it then I will cover the costs myself as I am not going to let this close us down.”

A Gwent Police spokesperson said: “The incident is thought to have occurred sometime between 8pm on Tuesday, February 11 and 5.10pm on Wednesday, February 12.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting log 444 12/02/14.