Wests Tigers footy star John Bateman has become the target of a gang of thieves who broke into his property and stole stone from his backyard patio.
The Englishman took to social media on Sunday to track down the crooks who stripped his backyard in Bolton, northern England, posting three photos of the havoc they have wreaked.
'If anyone in the Bolton or surrounding areas has been offered, or knows of anyone offering Yorkshire stone to buy, get in touch with me,' Bateman posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.
'[I've] had my garden stripped of it and want to find the scruffy t***s!!!'
Bateman's followers on social media were appalled by the bizarre act.
John Bateman has been targeted by thieves who broke into his property in England
If anyone in the Bolton or surrounding areas has been offered or knows of anyone offering Yorkshire stone to buy get in in touch with me.
Iv had my garden stripped of it and want to find the scruffy twats!!! pic.twitter.com/arLeuf2h22
'Who steals stone?' wrote one user.
'That’s unbelievable,' said another.
'Sadly the theft of it is rife at the moment. Thieving scumbags,' wrote a third.
Meanwhile, Christmas has come early for Wests Tigers players and their fans, with the joint venture club reportedly signing Jarome Luai on a bumper five-year deal that's speculated to be worth $6million from 2025 onwards.
Luai, 26, has played his entire NRL career at the Panthers, winning three premierships following his first grade debut in 2018.
His future beyond next year has been the talk of the NRL offseason, with the in-demand pivot also in the sights of the Bulldogs.
Tigers interim CEO Shane Richardson, who started at Concord last week after the board was sensationally sacked, said the club would abandon plans to chase Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake to concentrate on signing Luai.
And he has reportedly delivered.
Bateman, pictured playing for England, is trying to find the thieves thorough social media
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Panthers now have 10 days to convince Luai to stay at the foot of the Blue Mountains, as part of the NRL's new contract rules.
Luai must notify Penrith of his intention to honour the Wests Tigers deal come 2025 and beyond - and he can also withdraw from the contract offer.