Alnwick mum’s horror after yobs smash window

Mar 14 2009 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

A TERRIFIED mum has told how she and her young daughters escaped serious injuries when yobs smashed a bottle through their bedroom window.

Claire Barber believes it was being in the right place at the right time which saved the family from harm during the attack on their home.

She and her eldest daughter Charlotte, 16, had been watching TV together downstairs when they heard a smash.

They ran upstairs fearing something had happened to nine-year-old Olivia, who often sleeps in her mum’s bedroom.

They found shards of glass across the bed and on the floor. Luckily Olivia had been in her own bedroom, where she had fallen asleep after watching a DVD.

Mum-of-two Claire, of Percy Terrace, Alnwick, said: “There was shattered glass all over the place.

“After a few moments I realised someone had thrown a bottle inside.

“I was shaking because Olivia usually sleeps in my bedroom but that night she chose to sleep in her room as she was watching a film.

“Me and Charlotte sometimes sit on my bed and talk about school but we were downstairs at the time and I often go to sleep early.

“A large piece of glass landed on my pillow. I was just shocked more than anything.”

Police were called and an investigation has been launched.

Miss Barber, 40, a PR consultant, said: “It’s an extremely upmarket road, nothing like this has happened before.

“I have no idea who would want to do this. It’s left me really shaken, I’m just so relieved Olivia wasn’t in the bed as we both could have been badly injured. As it is we’re all badly shaken.

“I feel intimidated in my own home.”

Two teenagers were seen near the house at the time of the incident, one carrying a blue carrier bag.

Alnwick acting Inspector Graham Vickers said: “We would urge anyone with any information or who has seen anyone acting suspiciously at the time of this incident to get in touch.

“This was a dangerous thing to do and if there had been someone inside the room at the time there could have been a serious injury.”

The incident happened at around 10.30pm on Tuesday.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Alnwick police on 03456 043 043.