Too scared to go to sleep (From Warrington Guardian)

Too scared to go to sleep

A GRANDMOTHER has been left 'too frightened to sleep' after being harassed by a gang of youths.

Disabled pensioner Jean Williams, who lives with her husband and daughter in Runcorn, is tired of the abuse her family receives from the teenage yobs that hang around their home in Deerpark Court, Hallwood Park.

Mrs Williams said: "They've been coming round after 7.30pm for the last month or so.

"They've destroyed our garden, thrown stuff at the windows, and they use some very choice language. They stand outside the window putting two fingers up at us and insulting my husband. He has got a heart condition and I'm in a wheelchair.

"It's the quietest court in the whole of the estate and they don't even live here.

"We've contacted the police but it doesn't seem to have done any good. We haven't been able to sleep because we're too frightened to go to bed. You just want peace in your own home."

The family fear the situation could culminate in a repeat of the tragedy that occurred in the area on Halloween 2003, when retired special constable Don Rennie collapsed near his home while chasing three schoolboys who had thrown eggs at his house. He later died of a heart attack.

The trio were later sentenced to community service after being found guilty of behaviour intending to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Mrs Williams added: "It stopped for a while after that because mothers in the area had warned their children about the dangers of what can happen.

"Action needs to be taken now. It will be too late if someone gets killed."

Sergeant Andy Delooze, of the Runcorn Community Action Team, said that the team was aware of recent incidents in the area and were providing attention.

He added that youths suspected of offences would be spoken to with their parents or, if offences are identified, they will be dealt with by the courts.