Vandals target widow’s ‘lifeline’ car in attack

Woman, 70, will be virtually housebound until her vehicle is repaired

An Angus widow with mobility problems has been left devastated after her “lifeline” car was the victim of a deliberate vandal attack.

Jennifer Brook, 70, said she will now be left virtually housebound until her Citroen C3 returns from the repair shop after the bodywork was extensively damaged when corrosive liquid was poured over it.

The incident happened in Burnside Street in Carnoustie between 6pm on Thursday May 11 and 11.30am the following day, and it is understood one line of inquiry police are following is that the wrong car was targeted.

Mrs Brook, who lost her husband John in 2013, struggles to walk very far and relies on her car to get around for everyday tasks like going to the shops or visiting friends.

She said: “The car is my lifeline and without it I’m virtually housebound. “I’ve just no idea who has done this. “It is completely mindless. “I don’t even want to believe that I know somebody who could do that to me.”

Mrs Brook, a former auxiliary nurse at Ashludie Hospital and Arbroath Infirmary, said the repair work will be covered by her insurance company but she will have to pay a £200 excess.

She said she had gone to bed early after a long day and got up just before lunchtime the following day and looked out the bedroom window.

“I thought it was condensation on the car when I first looked out,” she said.

“I didn’t think anything of it until my next door neighbour phoned me and told me there was something on my car.

“I went out and the liquid had already started to strip the paint off the bodywork.

“Luckily it only damaged the driver’s side of the car.”

Mrs Brook, who has three grown-up children and two grandchildren, said she is extremely distressed by what has happened.

And still terribly upset when the police came to investigate the vandalism, she praised the officer involved for his “understanding”.

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “A car had a corrosive liquid poured over it causing extensive damage.

“This has had a significant impact on the owner of the car, who is a 70-yearold lady who relied on her car to get around.

“Anyone with any information that may be useful should contact Tayside Division on 101 quoting CR/12152/17 or speak to any police officer.

“Alternatively information can be passed anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Picture: Kim Cessford. Mrs Jennifer Brook shows the damage her car sustained in the deliberate attack.