Vandals' victim proud of town (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Vandals' victim proud of town

A happier Sue Duggan cleans up her wrecked house Ref: 78750-46SWINDON...AND PROUD OF IT: A MOTHER-OF-FOUR whose home was trashed by yobs says the generosity of Swindon people has made her proud of the town.

As revealed in the Advertiser last month vandals went on a £10,000 wrecking spree in Sue Duggan's house in Bourne Road, Moredon.

The louts smashed her home up with hammers, and covered her belongings in paint, white spirit and oil.

Items smashed included ornaments, electrical equipment, including a DVD player, a washing machine and dishwasher, electrical sockets, light switches, the toilet, bath and sink.

At the time Mrs Duggan, 53, said it was her worst nightmare and a local councillor has called it a new level of vandalism.

But now the kind-hearted folk of Swindon have rallied round and given her hope.

She said: "Since it was in the news people I don't even know have promised to help.

"People have been so kind, there has been a wonderful response.

"I'm Swindon born and bred and it makes you proud to be from Swindon."

Mrs Duggan has not yet been able to take delivery of any of the promised furniture as she is still waiting for the house to be cleared.

But she says the response has been enough to lift her spirits.

"When it happened I couldn't see the end of the tunnel," she said.

"I lost everything. My house was full of memories but they were all destroyed.

"The days after it happened I couldn't even go back in there. I had my home taken away from me.

"But it just goes to show that community spirit is still alive. Some of these people don't know me from Adam but they have still helped."

"It's made it easier for me, I don't feel alone now."

Mrs Duggan, who suffers from osteoporosis and arthritis and is a chronic asthmatic, does not know why she was targeted.

She has been staying with her daughter Rebecca, 31, in Penhill since the vandals struck.

Swindon Council, which owns the house, had moved her into temporary accommodation in Manchester Road, but she did not think it was suitable.

Coun Derique Montaut (Lab, Moredon) has hit out at the yobs, saying: "This takes the boundaries of vandalism to a further point to what it has been previously.

"This mindless vandalism is getting out of control and the whole community needs to take responsibility."

Mrs Duggan's daughter and three other children, Antony, 21, Fran, 35, and Sarah, 29, have also been supporting her through the crisis.

Nothing was stolen from the house and police are investigating the crime.

Anyone with information can phone Swindon police on 01793 528111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Gareth Bethell