Attack victim fears for knee

A Shropshire man fears he may have to have his knee replaced after suffering a serious injury when he was targeted by yobs.

Steve Jones, 60, of Fernhill Lane, Gobowen, had to have emergency treatment when he was struck by a lump of concrete which was thrown at him while he was repairing a fence at his home.

The attack left him with internal bleeding and ruptured ligaments in his left knee.

Doctors have told him they hope to be able to save the knee but have warned him he may have to undergo a knee replacement operation.

Mr Jones says the incident last month is the latest in almost 20 years of vandalism attacks on his home and property.

He said: "I was in my garden fixing the fence beside my property which had been vandalised when someone throw the concrete over the fence from the footpath which runs past my house.

"I didn't see a thing but the pain was unbearable.

"I tried to ignore it and took some painkillers but the next day the pain was terrible.

"It had swollen up like a balloon. A friend took me to Wrexham Maelor Hospital's accident and emergency department.

"The doctors drained the blood and now I am waiting to find out whether they can save the knee.

"I can't walk very well and can only stand up for five minutes at a time because the pain is so bad."

Mr Jones is a full-time carer for his 64-year-old brother Eric who suffered a brain injury more than 30 years ago following a motorbike accident. He added: "The attack is one of many incidents since I moved here to care for Eric in 1990.

"There has always been problems with youths.

"We have had attempted break-ins over the years and countless vandalism attacks.

"Last week week we had stones and crab apples flung at our patio door and eggs smashed on the car.

"I can't praise the local police highly enough.

"They have done everything they can to catch them.

"They are equally as frustrated as I am about what's being going on.

"I estimate the vandalism over the years has cost about £17,000.

"We have had enough and we are looking to move away because of the attack which damaged my knee."

Oswestry police officers are investigating the concrete throwing incident, which happened on July 24 between about 4.15pm and 4.20pm.

Any information should be passed on to police on 0300 333 3000.