A Kilmarnock couple have hit out at yobs who wrote their car off by throwing stones at it.
Thomas and Alison McCluskey bought the Mini Cooper just six months ago after cancer sufferer Thomas was told he was in remission and could drive again.
But the couple’s joy was short-lived after schoolkids did £3000 worth of damage to the motor by throwing rocks at it.
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Alison said: “My husband has prostate and skin cancer. He got some good news and bought the car.
“This is the first car we have had in 12 years because of Thomas’ illness. We only bought it six months ago and now it has been written off. It’s terrible. Thomas took the car on finance for three years as this was the first time he knew he would still be here in three years time.”
Last month a group of kids in school uniform destroyed 70-year-old Thomas’ pride and joy parked outside his Onthank Drive property.
Alison added: “About two or three kids, all in school uniform, were throwing stones at the car. We weren’t in at that time but a neighbour texted me, saying the car had been damaged.
“I couldn’t believe it.
“When we got back and discovered it all smashed up our hearts sank. It was disgusting.
“We are also aware that damage has been done to other properties in our area. People’s cars and house doors and windows have been damaged.
“And we believe the kids are about seven or eight years old and therefore nothing can be done. They can’t be punished but we are sitting here without a car. It’s mindless.”
The kids broke the back window and the driver side window, cracked the windscreen and driver’s door and casued severe damage to the paintwork.
“We had to claim the insurance but they wrote the car off. About £3000 damage has been done and now we have no car,” Alison said.
“Steam is coming out our ears.
“When Bridgend Garage came to take the car away it was like there was a rockery beneath it.” she added.
“Nothing can be done to these kids but parents can’t allow their children to behave like this.
“We are lost without our car. We normally take Thomas’ brother, who is 79 years old and is deaf and mute, to his doctor’s appointments and to the shops but now we need to get a taxi, which is costing a fortune.”
She went on: “We used to take our three dogs to the beach regularly for a run and now we can’t take them as only two dogs are
allowed on the bus at any one time.
“We have became a pair of hermits now. We don’t want to go out and we’re scared to get another car incase it happens again. What’s the point?”
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East Ayrshire Council and Police Scotland are involved in the incident.
A spokeswoman for East Ayrshire Council said: “The children concerned have been identified and will be supported through our early and effective intervention approach, which is about partnership and focuses on multi-agency working.
“The council coordinates the multi-agency process for EEI, which includes education, social work, Police Scotland, vibrant communities and the third sector, to get the best possible outcome for young people.”
