Man intimidated out of Articlave home after third attack

A 50-year-old man has been forced to flee after a third attack on his Articlave home last week.

Speaking to The Coleraine Times, Robert Patton (50) said he would not be returning to his house at Woodend Park following a petrol bomb attack on the property just before 10.30pm last Wednesday night.

Police say that a bottle containing accelerant had been set alight and thrown through the window of the house.

The kitchen area of Mr Patton's home was damaged.

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Mr Patton, who was uninjured, said: "I had gone to bed at 9.30pm and just dozed over when I heard the windows come in again.

"I looked out and saw the smoke. It was a neighbour who rang 999.

"This is the third time my windows have been put in since I moved here from Portrush on August 16.

"I live in wee bungalow myself. I only got the windows put back in last Friday and now this."

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Mr Patton said he had no idea why he was being targeted but suggested that someone may have been unhappy about him moving into the house which had been unoccupied for the past five years.

He added: "I'm leaving and I won't be coming back. I don't know where I'm going."

Local councillors condemned the attack on Mr Patton's home.

Alliance councillor, Barney Fitzpatrick, said: "This was an appalling attack which will have sent shockwaves throughout the local community.

"It's hard to understand the despicable mindset of a thug who would do something like this.

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"My thoughts are with the man who was in the house at the time of the attack as this must have been a terribly traumatic ordeal.

"Violence has no place in our society and those seeking to cause fear through acts like this must be brought to justice. I would appeal to anyone with information on this to contact police immediately."

East Londonderry MLA David McClarty, said: "There is absolutely no justification for this type of action and the perpetrators need to stop this type of activity immediately before someone is seriously injured or even killed.

"If that is the case they will have plenty of time to ponder their actions whilst serving a life sentence for murder.

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"Articlave is a quiet village and its people do not want or need this type of activity taking place. I would call on anyone with any information, or who saw any suspicious activity to contact the police immediately."

Police are working to establish the circumstances of the incident and say enquiries are ongoing.

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