Windows broken during attack on home of boy’s grieving parents
GANG OF MEN HURL BRICKS HOURS AFTER FUNERAL FOR YOUNGSTER
THE parents of a teenager who drowned in the River Tyne had the windows of their home smashed just hours after his funeral.
Robert Hattersley got into difficulty while swimming in the river near Ovingham in Northumberland with friends last month. The 13-year-old was pulled in by strong currents and the emergency services spent around six hours searching for him.
Police later told his mam Stella, 47, and dad Carl, 48, that Robert had died following the incident, which occurred shortly before 4.15pm on July 17. His death left his family and the local community devastated.
Robert, who lived with his parents in Crawcrook, Gateshead, was the youngest of five siblings. He had four older sisters – Emma, 24, Charlotte, 20, Chantelle, 19, and Victoria, 16.
On Monday, his heartbroken family said a final goodbye to him during his funeral at Church of The Holy Spirit in the village.
During the early hours of the following morning, his parents heard a loud noise and woke to find that three of their windows had been smashed. Their living room window, a bedroom window and a window in their door were all damaged and a brick was found inside their home.
Chantelle’s girlfriend Karly Maltaz was in the bedroom when the window was smashed. The 18-year-old was hit by shattered glass and suffered an injury to her leg.
Emma, who lives in Grange Villa, County Durham, said they do not know why somebody would target their home. She said: “On the day of Robert’s funeral we were celebrating his life like he would want us to.
“My mam and dad were emotional. The service for Robbie was upsetting but lovely. They were happy with everything they had done for Robbie, everything turned out amazing for him. We all had a few drinks then headed home. Some time after midnight my mam and dad’s house got smashed by four people. One person was driving and the other three put their windows and their door through. They also smashed a car up next to my mam’s house. Karly got injured in the incident. The brick didn’t hit her but the glass did.
“I’m foaming. Why would they do that to my mam’s house after she’s buried her son?”
Robert’s family reported the incident to the police and officers attended at 3am. Council workers visited the property at 5am and boarded up the windows until they could be replaced.
Mum-of-four Emma, who lives with her partner William Patterson, 23, said: “My dad thought it was fireworks until the girls told him that the window had been put through. They are scared in case it happens again.
“My dad went to get some CCTV so they would feel a little bit safer. We are all hoping they find the people that have done it and send them to jail.”
Emma has also issued a message to those who may be considering causing damage. She said: “Please think before doing anything as disgusting as this. It can lead to people getting injured.”
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said they received a report of a brick being thrown through a window in Crawcrook shortly after 1am on Tuesday.
They said: “It was reported that a female received several lacerations from the impact of the glass shattering, and that a car parked nearby had also been damaged. The occupants are being supported by officers and CCTV from the area is being reviewed.”