A DISABLED father-of-two says teenage yobs are driving him out of his York home.

Robert Smith, 37, of Asquith Avenue, Tang Hall, York, has begged City of York Council to transfer his family to another council house after youths started terrorising him a year ago.

He has suffered from osteo-arthritis in his spine since 1991 and needs crutches to walk. He says he is being targeted by local youths, aged between nine and 16, who see him as an easy target.

In the last year youths have:

Vandalised the car he relies on for mobility four times

Thrown eggs and bricks at his home

Taunted him about his disability

Bullied his nine-year-old son, Robert Junior

He said: "I have had enough. I don't care where I go. I just need to get away from those who are tormenting me."

He claims his repeated requests to the council to be moved have been ignored.

Mr Smith has lived in the house with his son, his seven-year-old daughter, Leonie, and wife, Shona, for three years. But the problems started when he refused to let his son play out with some local youths.

He said the final straw was when his car was attacked two weeks ago. The CD player was smashed with a hammer and the driver-side door was bent, but when his wife caught the youth responsible, he just casually walked away.

A City of York Council spokeswoman said the authority would be "considering" information provided by Mr Smith this week.

"We will then be able to let him know whether we will support his request for an urgent move," she said.

The police confirmed they are investigating the incidents against Mr Smith.

Updated: 09:28 Saturday, April 10, 2004