A GRANDMOTHER says vandals have left her unable to buy Christmas presents for her children.

The resident, of Monkwick Avenue, Colchester, has been targeted four times by yobs on the rampage across the Solus, Monkwick and Quarters estates.

The wing mirror on her Seat Ibiza has twice been damaged, while a wooden fence post was smashed through her car window on Sunday, December 7. The following Sunday, December 14, a boulder was thrown through the car’s rear window.

The incidents have all happened since a path opened between the Solus and Monkwick Estates.

She said: “For 36 years, I have had no problems, but since they opened the footpath, I have been a victim three times in six weeks.

“It’s costing me a £50 excess on my insurance each time. I’m unemployed and can’t claim benefits, so that is my money for the month.

“I’d already bought something for my grandchildren but I can’t afford anything for my children. These yobs have ruined Christmas.”

A police spokesman said three youths, all about 14, two on foot and one on a bike, were seen in the MonkwickAvenue area close to the time the car was damaged.

Other incidents include:

  • Two windows inahouse in Monkwick Avenue, smashed between 2pm on December 5 and 4pm on December 7
  • Eight windows smashed in new homes in Hooper Avenue
  • A white Mercedes Sprinter vanwindows smashed and bodywork dented in William Harris Way between 3pm on December 6 and 9.30am on December 7
  • A Volkswagen Passat rear window smashed in Queensland Drive, between 10pm and 10.30pm on December 5.
  • A Vauxhall Combo van’s windows smashed in John Mace Road, between 4pm on the December 6 and 12.20pm on December 7
  • A Volvo S40’s window smashed in Adelaide Drive between 10am and 9.15pm on the December 7.

Anyone with information about any of the incidents call Colchester police on 101.