‘He’s not safe!’ Spalding family say years of harassment has led to arson attacks, but justice system ‘not getting anywhere’
A family say that years of harassment have come to a head after their property was destroyed in a fire.
After enduring unsavoury phone calls, having tyres slashed and recently being the victims of arson attacks they have taken the brave decision to speak out about their situation after feeling let down by the justice system.
Incidents have been occurring for around three years, but in recent weeks events have escalated.
A polytunnel and shed used by a family member at the allotment in Low Fulney, near Spalding, have both recently been set fire to on separate occasions.
Three generations of the family - who wish to remain anonymous - say they have have been targeted by a man, who is known to them and who they have taken out a restraining order against.
They estimate that they have suffered around £6,000 in the past three years.
“We want to make people aware, get it reported and out there,” one family member said.
“We’re not getting anywhere. It’s the justice system in general.
“I think he knows he can do as he likes and that nobody’s going to do anything and it’s about time the little people started shouting about.
“There’s a restraining order taken out against him. He shouldn’t come near us and we wonder whether this is the reason he’s started targeting my husband’s property (at the allotment) as he shouldn’t come near us or phone us.”
Despite this, the family say the phone calls from the man - who cannot be named for legal reasons - still persist, one recently coming the night the polytunnel was torched.
“We asked why he was burning our stuff down and he said ‘something else will get burnt down’,” the family member added.
“That morning the shed burnt down. He’s not safe.”
The family say that the harassment is affecting them, but also having a knock on effect on a business they operate.
“This has been going on for a number of years, on and off. General harassment, phone calls, that sort of thing,” the family member added.
“It started with my daughter and granddaughter but more recent developments are that we’ve had tyres slashed - my daughter has, twice recently.
“And he’s also burnt down my husband’s polytunnel and shed. He also broke into the shed before and damaged stuff, slung stuff about, broke the lawnmower.
“He’s also tried to blackmail me.”
“Incident 79 of July 13 is a report of arson at an allotment on Kellet Gate, Low Fulney,” a Lincolnshire Police statement read.
“No injuries reported and no arrests have been made. Inquiries are ongoing.”
Police also advise that victims of harassment report incidents by calling 101 or 999 in emergencies.
