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Woodhouse couple under siege for being disabled
A couple have been living under siege in their Woodhouse home, victims of attacks by bullying youths.
Paul and Janet WIlliams, who both have mild learning disabilities, say they have experienced a living nightmare in their back-to-back terrace in Woodhouse.
Gangs of youths aged 12 to 16 have harassed the pair, with threats to kill them, throwing stones at their windows and calling them names.
The couple have also had to put up with name calling and threats shouted through letterbox on a nightly basis and being followed when they leave the house, pestered and threatened and intimidated on the street.
Mr Williams, 34, said the worst incident came when a teenager barged his way into their home and exposed himself to his wife.
Disability hate crime is on the increase in West Yorkshire and prosecutions for harassment of vulnerable people has doubled in 12 months, says the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
There were nine successful prosecutions for disability hate crime during 2008-09 and more are expected in the next year.
Today the Williamses, who rely on a support worker and have lived in their home for six years, said they had talked about their experiences to prompt others to come forward and get help.
Mrs Williams, 43, who has trouble with walking and balance, described her worst ordeal.
She said: "I had got home and opened the door and this boy barged his
way in behind me.
"He started throwing things around and moving objects around the room. Then he just dropped his trousers and exposed himself.
"I was frightened and upset, it was really awful. He refused to leave when I asked him to get out. Eventually one of his friends dragged him out.
"We did tell the police who made inquiries but it was impossible for us to identify him."
Mr Williams works as a part-time cleaner for housing charity St Anne's.
Another night the couple's wheelie bin was set alight and the blaze spread to a drainpipe outside their front door.
They were woken by a neighbour who spotted the flames.
Part-time office worker Mr Williams, said: "When the harassment first started it was the kids throwing eggs or stones at windows, knocking on the door, shouting abuse at us.
"We tried to ignore them but it was impossible. One shouted he would kill us if we didn't stop looking at him.
"We went to local police community forum monthly meetings, which were helpful and we had a friend who spoke to the parents of some of the kids about the seriousness of the situation, and the abuse has stopped.
Police, backed by CPS and disability support groups, want anyone suffering to speak out against physical or verbal abuse or intimidation of vulnerable people.
West Yorkshire Police has a unit in Leeds city centre which supports victims of hate crime – disability, race or homophobia – and it is working to help the couple.
Det Ins Stuart Piper said: "We say 'report it, don't support it'. If any relatives, friends or neighbours are aware of problems, please get in touch on behalf of someone else."
Tim McSharry, of Access Committee for Leeds said: "The few cases we know about are the tip of the iceberg. It's happening on a daily basis.
"We urge anyone suffering to get in touch. The police and CPS are going out of their way to help support vulnerable victims."
* For more information see the website www.accesscommitteeforleeds.org or telephone 0113 228-8110.
Incidents of hate crime should be reported to police on 0845 606 0606 or Crimestoppers free in confidence on 0800 555 111. They can also be reported at one-stop centres or housing offices.
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Saturday 19 May 2012
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