A VANDAL who threw a chimney pot through the window of a property they wrongly believed to be the home of a paedophile has apologised.

Lesley Jeffrey has spoken of her terror after the heavy item, which can weigh up to 30kg, was hurled through her front room window last Tuesday at 10pm.

Neighbours in Steel Street believe the vandal had been targeting the home of paedophile Colin Jones who last month avoided jail.

He had pleaded guilty to a string of child sex offences including inciting a 13-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity and was handed a 12-month jail term suspended for two years.

Mrs Jeffrey has been left with a repair bill for £300 and despite the culprit since having a pang of conscience the £80 they pushed through her letterbox with an apology falls far short of the amount she has been left to pay.

“I am so angry, I have issues with my nerves and I just don’t need this,” the retired civil service worker said.

“I moved here from Birmingham to get away from things like this.”

Although Mrs Jeffrey has reported the damage to police she said she would be satisfied if the culprit paid the full amount to repair the damage.

“I don’t blame them for being angry at him,” she said, referring to 44-year-old Jones.

Mrs Jeffrey, who has two dogs Otto and Bella-May, is currently paying £160-a-month in vets bills for poorly Otto, and with an insurance excess of £350 it simply wasn’t worth making a claim for the damage.

“It cost £204 just to board up the window but I had no choice because it happened late at night and I couldn’t go to bed with the window like that,” she added.

“I’ve been quoted £80 plus VAT for the new glass so that brings it to over £300.”

Mrs Jeffrey’s neighbours rallied round her in the aftermath of the incident. One gentleman brought an industrial vacuum to clear up the shattered glass while another waited with her while the police arrived.

But other damage can never be repaired. A treasured ornate coffee table was badly scratched by the glass and Mrs Jeffrey dreads to think what would have happened to her beloved Bella-May had the dog been sitting in her favourite spot next to the window.

One neighbour said locals are worried it might happen again. Jones’ home has repeatedly been targeted by vigilantes and police warned that such behaviour won’t be tolerated.

“Vigilante activity presents a real risk of misinformation, which can undermine the work police and partner agencies conduct on a daily basis,” a police spokeswoman said.

“We would also like to remind members of the public that committing a criminal offence motivated by perceived retribution will not be tolerated, any such incidents will be fully investigated and we will seek prosecution of offenders.”

Police are investigating the damage to the window. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.