Car slams into cafe
THIS is the wreckage caused by a bunch of “radgies” who drove a car through a Newcastle cafe’s shutters.
Neighbours claim the culprits drove headfirst into TJ’s Catering and Cafe “as if they were asleep” in the early hours of Monday.
They claim the occupants limped off into the night, leaving behind a bottle of gin.
Owner Tracey Jeffrey only opened the cafe last October. After being forced to close due to the Covid-19 pandemic, she turned up to work only to be greeted with another devastating blow to her business.
“I was just devastated when I noticed it,” admitted the 51-year-old.
“My daughter had a baby this year, and if it wasn’t for that this would be the worst year ever.”
A Northumbria Police investigation is under way.
Now, Tracey has lashed out at the thoughtless yobs who have left her unable to work.
“These are not just young lads, these are men in their 20s and 30s, but who probably have not worked a day in their life,” she said.
“They are just little radgies – thieving little scumbags – and were obviously drunk as there was a bottle of gin there which I could have done with drinking myself this morning.”
The damage is significant. Besides the shutter, the parasols were smashed while the wooden tables were crushed.
The cafe is located on Silver Lonnen, yards from The Balloon pub. The unit was previously known as Cafe Lonnen.
According to one local, the culprits “bombed down” Netherby Drive shortly after 5am.
“They were driving as if they were asleep at the wheel and didn’t have any brakes,” claimed one nearby resident, who asked not to be identified.
“It just flew into it and there was a hell of a bang – it must have woken up the street.
“You could see them trying to scramble away and get the car off but they gave up and just hobbled away.”
According to Tracey, at least one had a limp – she suspects from the crash – and she thinks that could be crucial in bringing the culprits to justice.
“Someone must have come home with a limp, and if that was my son or daughter, the first thing I’d ask is ‘what have you been up to?’.” she added.
“You know when your partner or children are lying, so I’d like to think someone knows.”
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Shortly after 5.20am today (Monday) we received a report that a car had crashed through the shutters of a store on Silver Lonnen, Newcastle.
“Officers attended but the occupants of the vehicle had already left the scene on foot. Nobody has been reported as being injured in the incident.
“An investigation has been launched and enquiries are ongoing to trace those involved. Witnesses are asked to contact us via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or by calling 101 quoting log 112 070920.”