A woman forced to flee a troubled York estate told today how a campaign of harassment and petty crime culminated in a fire attack on her former home.

Arsonists are blamed for starting Saturday night's blaze at the house in Kingsway North, Clifton, where the woman's son still lives.

The kitchen of the house was engulfed by flames and the rest of the house suffered smoke damage when glass in a door was smashed before petrol was poured through and set alight.

Speaking from a new, secret address, Dilys Stuchfield said it was a miracle no one was killed in the blaze that ripped through the home she still owns.

Her son, Graham, 24, has been occupying the house since she was left.

Mrs Stuchfield said she had lived at Kingsway North for eight years trouble-free, but problems started when her husband, Michael, began working away from home.

On November 5 last year, she was forced to call police after a 40-strong gang of youths tore up a coping stone from her driveway and smashed it in the road.

A gate was also ripped up and thrown in the road.

A campaign of verbal abuse, petty crime and damage to her property followed. Youths dented her daughter's car, catcalled as she walked her dog and dumped rubbish in her garden.

By the end of November, the stress became too much and the family was forced to move. But even last week, a football was kicked through a bedroom window of the house.

"There is so much going on in Kingsway North you just wouldn't believe," said Mrs Stuchfield. "And it seems to be escalating.

Describing the estate as a "school for vandals", Mrs Stuchfield said threatening the troublemakers with eviction was not enough.

Det Sgt John Roberts, investigating Saturday night's fire, said eyewitnesses reported seeing a man, wearing a dark hooded top and light coloured trousers, possibly tracksuit bottoms, running from the scene with a stiff-legged gait.

"This goes beyond normal vandalism," said Det Sgt Roberts. "It is a very serious offence and it is being treated as such."

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