Man’s window broken as he tries to do a good deed for neighbour

The man’s window was hit with the pellet as he and his wife watched television one Sunday evening a fortnight ago.

Stones and balls have also been thrown at his house in previous attacks over the course of a number of months.

But it was the pellet which went through their double glazed and strengthened window which has been the worst incident so far.

“My grandchildren often stand at the window but luckily they were not there at the time,” he said. “We were just sitting watching television when it happened. I thought it was stones at first but when I heard it came from a BB gun I could not believe it. This has totally traumatised us. My wife has been unable to settle. It could have seriously injured one of us. I consider ourselves lucky that no-one was injured.”

The man was speaking after a public meeting was held in the Independent Methodist Church last week to voice concerns about the ongoing problems.

“I have lived here 38 years and reared my children and I have never had the likes of this before. I was really considering moving” he said.

He said two weeks after the attack his wife is still living on her nerves but praised neighbours for their help.

“They have all been really good to me and we appreciate that,” he said.

The man says he believes it is the same youths who have also slashed car tyres and stoned houses.

He said one pensioner had her gas turned off by the gang while others had their washing lines taken down and shovels and brooms stolen.

Since last week’s meeting, which was attended by the police, some of the residents have helped to set up a community group while representatives from a housing organisation have come out to fix fences.