Mother's gun attack anger

Gillian Carrington, 33, who is 15 weeks pregnant, said her mother and mother-in-law, both in their 50s, chased a gang of youths they believed were responsible for the attack down the street.

Mrs Carrington was sitting watching the television with her two sons, nine-year-old Thomas and seven-year-old Pierce at their home, in Ashbourne Way, Woodthorpe, when their tranquillity was shattered by the sound of a pellet smashing the window.

Mrs Carrington, her mother, Shirley Pierce and mother-in-law, Jan Kendall, immediately sprang to their feet and went outside to see a group of about 20 teenagers, boys and girls, running up the alley at the side of the house.

Mrs Carrington went back inside to phone the police, while the two other women gave chase on foot, eventually catching up with a gang of youths sitting on a wall outside the Quaker Wood pub.

They asked who had the gun, but nobody owned up.

When she realised it was a gun pellet that had broken the glass, Mrs Carrington saw what a lucky escape they had had. Pierce, was so upset and shocked by events he started crying and only calmed down when the police arrived.

Mrs Carrington said: "We were sitting watching a film on the TV and the first we knew anything had happened was a really loud bang and a crack - my little lad was terrified. We saw a group of about 20 kids aged about 13 and 14 run off down the alley. My mum was absolutely furious when she realised it was a bullet hole - she lost all sense and started chasing after them. These kids shouldn't be allowed to just roam the streets. If I caught my kids doing anything like that I'd knock their heads off," said Mrs Carrington.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire police said although no pellet was found at the scene, the entry hole in the glass was consistent with one made by an air rifle pellet. He appealed for anyone with information to phone the witness line on 01904 669884.

Updated: 09:34 Saturday, November 06, 2004