Desperate mum tells of intimidation

A SINGLE mum who has kept a diary detailing abuse, intimidation and threats dating back three-years, claims housing officials are refusing to move her.

Sharon Collins says she and her 12 year-old son can no longer go on living in their Anderson Crescent home after the latest attack by thugs which saw them flee to a relatives house in the early hours of last Friday.

The pair were left terrified after yobs launched large rocks through upstairs and downstairs windows, narrowly missing the first-year student as he ran to get his mum. 39-year-old Sharon, who has lived in her Habinteg Housing Association owned home for the last three years, says she has kept a diary detailing numerous incidents of threats, attacks and intimidation. But although it has been passed onto police and housing officials, Sharon says the abuse and attacks have continued and her and her son have yet to be moved.

Sharon told the Sentinel: "This is an ongoing thing for the last three years and it's got to the stage now where we just can't take anymore. My son is so terrified and in shock from our windows being put in he had to go stay with my sister.

"He doesn't want to live here anymore. He was almost hit with the brick which was put through the upstairs window. It could've killed him.

I am even more worried now with the dark nights coming in. We won't be able to leave the house after dark. It's hard enough to leave during daylight."

As well as having her home attacked, the mum says she and her son have been physically assaulted. Just last week the 12-year-old was outside a local supermarket in the town when he was attacked.

"I have rung the police and every time they get away with it. Before my son was assaulted outside Tesco, he was also threatened in front of young children with a knife. He didn't tell me because he thought I would flip. This came out after the assault."

Sharon continued: "He's only in first year and I am so worried about the effect it is having on him. It has already affected my health, I am on anxiety pills at the moment. My doctor has told me I need to move or my health is going to severely suffer, but it's not as easy as that."

"I have contacted the housing association who told me to keep the diary in the first place. The last time they came out they told me they would have words with those involved. But it has made no difference."

The single mum says she now wants to leave the area.

Sharon went on: "These people are even able to walk down the street with a baseball bat in their hands. The anti-social behaviour in this area is scary. Someone needs to do something. It's a living nightmare."

A spokesman for Habinteg Housing Association says it is aware of recent disturbances in the Anderson Crescent area and that a diary has been passed onto police.

He said: "Habinteg Housing Association (Ulster) Ltd is aware of the recent disturbances in the Anderson Crescent area of Limavady and condemns all forms of anti-social behaviour. The Association is committed to working with residents, local community groups, political leaders and the PSNI to reduce the likelihood of such incidents and provide a secure environment for residents.

"Habinteg provides its tenants with Incident Diaries, for the purpose of monitoring antisocial activity. Completed diaries are logged and, as has been the case at Anderson Crescent, passed to the Police. Habinteg is unable to add further comment as recent events are the subject of Police enquiries."

A police spokesperson confirmed that windows were broken at a house in Anderson Crescent and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

"Police received a report around 12.30am on Friday (24th) regarding windows broken at a house in Anderson Crescent. Enquiries ongoing. Anyone with information about who is responsible should contact police on 0845 600 8000 or the 'Crimestoppers' charity anonymously on freephone 0800 555 111."

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