Last updated at 16:39, Tuesday, 06 November 2012

A PENSIONER whose life has been made a misery by constant bullying and abuse is fighting back against her tormentors.

For years Kathleen Woodward has had her quality of life eroded at the grubby hands and foul mouths of some Barrow youths.

The 64-year-old, rendered reliant on a mobility scooter by chronic arthritis and asthma, is routinely subjected to cruel taunts and vandalism to her home.

But now the Raglan Court resident is speaking out publicly in a desperate attempt to prick the consciences of both the young offenders and their parents.

“Everywhere I go I get harassed,” she said.

“They throw eggs, they kick my doors, they chase me when I’m on my scooter and they call me ‘Crazy Kath’, but I’m not crazy.

“I use my scooter to get food and groceries a few times a week and even the older drivers are aggressive and deliberately block me and use their horn.

“I don’t do any harm to anyone and I just want to be left alone to go about my life.”

Mrs Woodward has been receiving support from her area’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, including Police Community Support Office Helen Phifer.

PCSO Phifer said high visibility patrols, regular contact with tenants’ representatives and meetings with repeat offenders’ parents or guardians are among the tactics used in an attempt to stamp out the anti-social behaviour.

She said some of the bullies were as young as seven or eight years of age, while others were well into their teens.

“I always explain to them the effect they are having on Kath’s life and try to make them think about how they would feel if it was their nana being targeted,” she said.

“I’ve told them that if it continues, once they hit a certain age, then they could be arrested for harassment and taken to court.

“We’re also looking at taking out injunctions on certain youths to keep them out of the area.”

Tenants’ representative Mandy Burgess said Mrs Woodward’s harassment was so severe that extra locks had to be fitted on the complex’s doors to keep the troublemakers out.

“It’s bad when it has to come to that, but it was the only way we could protect her,” she said.

First published at 16:14, Monday, 05 November 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk