Rocket attack on dying man's home (From Barry And District News)

Rocket attack on dying man's home

THE DAUGHTERS of a Barry pensioner, who died a week after a rocket attack on his home, have spoken of their anger about the misuse of fireworks.

Vivienne Perrett and her twin-sister Lesley Magee told how their father, Hubert Walters, who suffered from stomach cancer, was left distressed in the last few days of his life, after a rocket smashed into the window of his home.

"Our father told us before he died that he thought it was a cowardly attack on a very, very ill pensioner, and it was an awful thing to do."

Lesley said that the attack came at a distressing time for all the family

"It was the shock of it, and at the time it was terrible. My father heard it, he was very distressed."

The sisters, aged 48, and Lesley's ten-year-old daughter Lily, were at their father's home in Tordoff Way when the attack occurred.

Lesley said: "We were extremely frightened, I had just got up to get my father's medication from the table, which was by the window.

"It hit it with an awful force, it seemed to be the thud of the rocket hitting the window and the explosion at the same time."

Vivienne added: "I sat here after the explosion, I couldn't move, I was stunned."

Many of the neighbours in Tordoff Way, who heard the explosion, came out to see what had happened.

Vivienne believes that the double-glazing on the front of the house helped to stop the firework coming through the window.

Mr Walters, who was diagnosed with stomach cancer back in May this year, died eleven days after the attack.

But Lesley has called for the sale of fireworks to be restricted to particular times of the year.

"I think it's terrible that they should do that when there's a sick man in here. They shouldn't be able to buy fireworks all year round. I think the sale of fireworks should be restricted to certain times of the year."

Police have said that investigations are continuing in to this latest attack.

In the run up to Bonfire Night there had been numerous campaigns issued by the Fire Service, Police and the Council urging people to take care with fireworks.

But it seems the anti-social behaviour and misuse of fireworks had burnt out by November 5.

Fire crews were expecting their busiest night of the year, but it seems people took on board the warnings and chose to have a safe Bonfire Night.

Sub-Officer Phil Gardner, who is from Penarth Fire Station, said: "It was quite a quiet night, it has been busier in the past. People seem to have listened to the warnings."