Magherafelt teenager left frightened after vandals cause £1,300 damage to her car

It is understood that a neighbour of Amber Downey’s saw a silver Ford Focus drive away from the Highfield Road area around the time of the attack.

The 19-year-old fitness trainer said she “has not done anything to deserve this”, while pleading with anyone who knows anything to come forward.

The only driver in her house, Amber says she uses the car to take her granny out, but that it will be a week before the windscreen is fixed - leaving them both without transport.

Asked how much the damage will cost to repair she told the Mail: “I got a quote of £350 for a new windscreen and a full respray will cost around £1,000.”

But added: “I don’t have this kind of money just laying around to fix this. The next appointment to get my new window is one week away.

“I use this car to take my granny out of the house as I am the only one in the house who drives,” she added. “It’s heart breaking what happened. Also it has left my family and I scared incase of further incidents or even worse.”

Police said they are investigating an incident of criminal damage to a car on Highfield Road in Magherafelt sometime overnight Friday night.

A spokesperson for the PSNI said: “It was reported that sometime between 9pm on Friday 12 August and 12pm on Saturday 13 August damage was caused to the windscreen of a car parked in the area.

“The bonnet and side of the car was also scraped during the incident.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact officers in Magherafelt on 101 quoting reference number 579 of 13/08/16. Alternatively, people can use the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and provide information without giving their details.”