Terrifying ordeal for man who challenged yob gang

The attack was a chilling reminder of similar attacks elsewhere in the UK, most notably the death of father-of-three Garry Newlove in Warrington last week, after he challenged a gang of teenagers.

Saturday's incident was a terrifying ordeal for John and Sue Spencer and their six grandchildren who were also staying at the house, in Church Street, Littlehampton, at the time.

Mr and Mrs Spencer, who own Spencer Plant and Tool Hire at Arundel Road, Wick, were woken at 3am by noise in the street.

Sue said: "They had a "for sale" sign, had taken the sign from the post and were swinging it about the street. I thought it was going to go through someone's car or window."

"I called out and just said: 'excuse me, why don't you go home?' To which I got verbal abuse."

Concerned if any damage had been caused, John left the house to check a car parked in the driveway. He then saw around 15 youths, all between 16 and 19, gathered on the corner of Church Street and St Winefrides Road.

"When I walked over I saw that they had already bashed the bollards and the road signs. When I challenged them, I was punched on the back of the head, and again on the side of the face."

John then went inside the house while Sue rang 999.

The group followed him back to the house and smashed a kitchen window with the "for sale" sign. Sue said: "There was glass everywhere - the kitchen was smothered."

The yobs then emptied rubbish bins onto the couple's car, causing dents and scratches, before kicking in the lights. Damage to the car is estimated at between 3,000 and 4,000.

All six grandchildren, between the ages of two and 13, were frightened by the incident. Sue said: "They were screaming and shouting, not knowing if the upstairs window, where they were sleeping, was going to get broken, too."

Police arrived on the scene shortly after 3.30am and arrested one suspect, aged 18, 50 yards from the Spencers' home. He was later released on police bail. Police say they now have enough evidence to arrest another suspect. Sgt Peter Allan, of Littlehampton Police, said: ""I am confident that we will get a good result from this. A number of names are now in the pot, as it were."

Police have said that while this type of incident is rare in the area, caution should be exercised when approaching people behaving in this way. Sgt Allan said: "My advice would be to gain as full and accurate description of those involved as possible and ring 999."

Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact PC Alan Russell on 0845 60 70 999.