Pensioners’ lives are made a misery by stone throwing (From Swindon Advertiser)

Pensioners’ lives are made a misery by stone throwing

7:10pm Friday 27th January 2012 in Local By Emma Dunn

Ramon Vickery

A PENSIONER is asking the culprits who have been throwing gravel from his front garden to stop.

Ramon Vickery, of Queensfield, says he is fed up because he has to keep sweeping up the stones from his garden, which are being thrown over the road, pavement and into his neighbour’s driveway.

The 72-year-old said it had been happening for about a week and he has told the police.

“I think they are just grabbing handfuls and throwing it,” he said.

“There must be four or five of them doing it.

“I am fed up. I am nearly 73 and I have got to go out in the road and sweep the road because it is dangerous for the cars.

“The stones could go in through someone’s windscreen.”

Ramon and his wife, Faith, who have been living in their detached bungalow for about 15 years, are on a mission to find the culprits.

“This is about the fifth time now,” he said. “I haven’t seen them do it. I sat there on Wednesday afternoon with a camera but nothing happened.

“It happened again while we were in Bath on Tuesday.

“It’s not as though we just had the stones put down. They’ve been down for six or seven years. We’ve never had any problems before.”

When Ramon told the police this week they told him to put up a fence.

“They said the best thing to do was to put a fence around the garden,” he said.

“I can’t afford to put a fence up, I’m a pensioner. We’ve got a massive frontage for a detached bungalow. You’re talking close to 150ft of fencing.

“I went to the police station and saw the sergeant. He gave me the number of the local policeman too.”

The couple found that the stones had been thrown again when they drew the curtains at about 7.30am on Thursday.

Ramon and Faith think it could be children but because they have not seen them they cannot be sure.

“My neighbour phoned to tell us it had happened again as well,” said Ramon.

“My wife is fed up too. We are fuming about it. My wife even said to me if this carries on we will have to move.”

Anyone with information about who is throwing the stones should contact Wiltshire Police on 101.